5 p.m.

Lan Feng International Hotel, 23rd floor.

Inside the private banquet hall’s makeup room, the air was filled with a mixture of high-end cosmetics and fragrant scents.

Xiao Jing sat comfortably in the soft makeup chair, allowing two top stylists to make the final adjustments to her makeup and hair.

She wore a haute couture gown specially airlifted from Paris, the tiny diamonds on the dress shimmering brilliantly and mysteriously under the gentle lighting.

Nearby, Xu Qing had also changed her outfit and was facing the mirror, somewhat awkwardly adjusting the hem of her dress.

“Knock knock knock—” came a knock on the door.

“Please come in.”

Immediately, the banquet butler in a black professional suit walked in softly.

“Miss Tian, the venue has been fully set up. The reception hall on the west side is ready as well. You may prepare to move over.”

“Understood, thank you.”

The stylists then stopped their work and followed the butler out.

Xiao Jing smiled sweetly at the mirror, then turned to Xu Qing.

With a mischievous grin, she said, “Sister Qingqing, today’s my birthday, so you can’t steal Brother Tang Song from me.”

“Oh, got it,” Xu Qing pouted.

She felt that Xiao Jing had insisted on her coming because of some wicked “wife’s territorial instinct,” and to assert her status as the legitimate girlfriend.

But with people like Ouyang Xianyue and Wen Ruan still around Tang Song, there would be all sorts of complicated things to come.

She was too lazy (or rather, didn’t dare) to get involved.

Xiao Jing smiled sweetly again, stepped forward to grab Xu Qing’s hand, and suddenly lowered her voice:

“Don’t be upset. We’ll be best sisters for life. In the future, we’ll share the same ‘treasure’ and have the deepest bond~ the strongest connection. Who knows... maybe one day we’ll even be on the same King Size bed, having some ‘fun’ together. What do you think?”

“Ah! You... you pervert! Don’t say nonsense!”

Xu Qing’s face instantly flushed bright red, as if scalded, and she quickly shook off Xiao Jing’s hand like she’d been electrocuted.

Xiao Jing looked at her cute mixture of embarrassment and annoyance and laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with more mischief.

The two of them played around for a while before finally leaving the makeup room together.

Accompanied by two staff members, they passed through the internal corridor and arrived at the “Starry Language Hall” on the west side of the banquet hall.

The place was decorated more like a fashionable party. A small jazz band was playing light Bossa Nova music in the entrance corridor.

The exquisite dessert area was filled with caviar tarts, truffle fries, and other appetizers, along with colorful non-alcoholic cocktails mixed on the spot by celebrity bartenders.

Two specially invited top fashion photographers were holding their “long guns and short cannons,” capturing wonderful moments inside.

Xiao Jing pointed at the photographers and said to Xu Qing, “Sister Qingqing, you look so beautiful today. It’d be a pity not to take some photos. These photographers have done major shoots for magazines. The results will definitely be as good as your artistic photo sets.”

With the luxurious environment, the tailored Chanel dress, dazzling jewelry accessories, and perfect styling...

For Xu Qing, who loved cosplay and often did photo shoots, how could she resist this temptation?

“All right then,” Xu Qing said demurely, flicking the hair near her ear, trying to suppress her excitement, though it was already clearly shining in her eyes.

Soon, the photographers took their places.

Lights focused;

Xu Qing stood under the chandelier in the reception hall, chin slightly raised, instantly getting into character with a queen pose that was both sexy and aggressively commanding.

“Click—”

The flash froze this beautiful moment.

.......

“Ding—”

The elevator slowly stopped on the 23rd floor.

A group of five young men and women, dressed elegantly, followed the hotel staff out one after another.

The thick, soft carpet muffled their footsteps;

the entire floor was so quiet that only faint jazz music could be heard from afar.

After turning two corners, a huge three-dimensional welcome poster appeared before them.

At the entrance near the corridor stood a check-in desk draped in gorgeous white flower garlands, champagne-colored balloons, and star-shaped light strips.

Two receptionists in elegant gowns smiled and waited there.

Qin Hua stopped and smiled at her friends, saying, “This is it. This year, Xiao Jing’s family invited more people, including some elders, so the setup is more grand than usual.”

The friends around nodded and laughed in agreement:

“Not bad, Jingjing’s really showing star power, more and more like the female lead!”

“The poster design is great. I have to find this company to make one for me later.”

The group chatted happily as they approached the sign-in desk and showed their invitations to the staff.

After verifying their information, the staff smiled and asked them to leave their names in the exquisite sign-in book.

They also recorded the gifts each had prepared.

The receptionist sweetly introduced, “Also, tonight’s party has a *mask* theme. Please choose a mask you like here. Of course, this is entirely optional.”

She gestured toward a velvet wall displaying thousands of half-face masks.

Everyone exclaimed softly and eagerly began choosing their masks.

After putting on their selected masks, the group, accompanied by two receptionists also wearing simple silver masks, entered the magnificent “Starry Language Hall.”

Their eyes immediately caught sight of the most dazzling “star,” Tian Jing.

Tian Jing wore a luxurious champagne-colored sequin evening gown. The fitted cut perfectly outlined her exquisite figure.

The dress was covered with tiny sparkling sequins that shimmered dreamily with every subtle movement in the light.

Her cool white skin looked even more lustrous and jade-like against the champagne dress.

Radiant and elegant, with a hint of sensuality.

“Xiao Jing, happy birthday!”

“Jingjing, long time no see! Happy Birthday!”

“Wow, our birthday girl is absolutely stunning today!”

Everyone spoke while smiling and walked toward her.

“Hua Hua, you’re here!”

“Xinxin, I missed you so much!”

“Cheng Ge, you’re late again!”

Xiao Jing’s face bloomed with a bright, sweet smile as she warmly greeted them one by one.

Then she affectionately pulled over Xu Qing, who wore a fox mask.

“Come, come, let me introduce you. This is my good friend, Xu Qing. Qingqing, this is the Qin Hua I told you about, and Zhang Yuxin... all my best friends!”

“Hello, Qingqing.”

“Hi! That dress is so hot!”

“Hello, hello...”

Everyone enthusiastically exchanged greetings.

Just then, laughter and chatter came from the entrance again.

Liang Yufan, Li Junyi, and several of Tian Jing’s former colleagues from Jinxiu Commerce also entered wearing various masks.

They were all second-generation wealthy locals of Yancheng, who had met Qin Hua and others, with some acquaintances among them.

But the masks now added a layer of unfamiliarity and mystery.

“Don’t say a word, I’m guessing who you are... Junyi? Haha, your flashy style, I’d recognize it even if it turned to ashes!”

“Hey hey hey, Miss Zhang, show some respect. This is called fashion taste!”

“Hello, Brother Yufan, long time no see.”

“Oh, impressive, you recognized me?”

For a while, the side hall was filled with laughter and guessing games, the atmosphere lively and festive.

After the greetings and chatter,

Li Junyi leaned toward Xiao Jing and curiously asked, “By the way, has Qi Yao arrived yet?” ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novelFirｅ.net

Xiao Jing shook her head and explained, “Jinxiu Commerce just had that big news about the cross-border business. Sister Wen, the business lead, is currently on a business trip in Imperial Capital with her team and won’t be back anytime soon.”

Zhang Yuxin suddenly bumped Xiao Jing’s shoulder and gossiped, “Xiao Jing, I just heard from Hua Hua this morning—you’re actually off the market?! When did this happen? You’ve hidden it so well! And... I heard it’s even with a former colleague from your old company?”

She and Xiao Jing had been friends for many years, but this was the first time she’d heard about her dating someone.

At this, the previously lively atmosphere instantly quieted down a little.

Only Xu Qing’s big dark eyes spun wildly, putting on a “not my business” bystander expression.

Xiao Jing’s face remained sweet, lifting her champagne glass with just the right touch of shy happiness in her tone: “He’s a very good person. I’ll formally introduce him to you later.”

In the eyes hidden behind his mask, Liang Yufan’s gaze flickered with a barely noticeable gloom.

He had once gone to great lengths to enter Jinxiu Commerce, partly to get close to Xiao Jing and build a relationship.

But she ended up directly dating the company’s grassroots CTO, then later switched jobs, ruining all his plans.

However, with Tian Chengye’s side now in chaos and having sold shares of Jinxiu Commerce, he no longer cared much.

Still, he was unwilling to accept it.

After all, they had known each other since childhood, and it felt like being suddenly NTR’ed by a blonde out of nowhere.

Very frustrating.

Qin Hua’s eyes flashed as she smiled and said, “Then why hasn’t your mysterious ‘boyfriend’ arrived yet? For his girlfriend’s birthday party, such an important occasion, the male lead not showing up yet—isn’t that a bit unreasonable?”

Xiao Jing replied calmly, “There’s still over half an hour before the official start. Why rush? For his girlfriend’s birthday, he naturally wants to prepare well and give me a big surprise.”

Qin Hua smiled and said no more.

Her father, Qin Dechang, was chatting idly with Tian Chengye and others in another VIP room.

Soon, Lin Jingming and Meng Chuan would also arrive.

When Tang Song appeared, facing that scene... ha, it would really be an interesting “drama.”

“Buzz buzz—” Xiao Jing’s phone vibrated inside her handbag.

She picked it up and her eyes brightened.

[Song: “I’m already on my way, will be there soon.”]

She quickly replied with a cute emoji.

Xiao Jing elegantly stepped out of the crowd and walked to the hotel banquet manager who was coordinating on-site.

She whispered, “Manager Liu, my boyfriend will arrive soon. Could you personally go to the lobby to pick him up?”

Manager Liu nodded slightly, then immediately put on an enthusiastic smile. “Of course, Miss Tian’s friends are our most honored guests. Please give me his information and license plate number so I can arrange it.”

Xiao Jing winked, “You should know him. His name is Tang Song.”

“Uh...” Manager Liu’s professional smile instantly stiffened;

his pupils involuntarily trembled sharply, and his voice changed tone, “You... you mean... Director Tang?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Thank you.”

“Ah! Okay! Okay! Don’t worry! I’m heading there now!”

Manager Liu bowed solemnly, then quickly turned and pulled out his walkie-talkie as he rushed toward the door.

Tian Jing was actually the boss’s girlfriend and was coming to celebrate his birthday personally.

This was a big deal! The senior management had to be notified immediately!

Seeing his urgency, a sly smile flashed in Xiao Jing’s eyes.

This was exactly the effect she wanted!

Here was the home turf of Lord Tang Song.

The backstage boss of Lan Feng International Hotel, personally greeted by the hotel general manager, and possibly entering amid a crowd of senior executives.

This kind of “face” was enough to bring shock from the very first second of his appearance.

Her friends were all second-generation rich born with silver spoons.

Some were outstanding, like Ni Qingli, Qin Hua, Liang Yufan, but at best, they were “prospective heirs” learning how to take over family assets under their family’s shelter.

Tang Song, on the other hand, had independently created a billionaire fortune as a self-made first-generation tycoon, rivaling Lin Jingming.

After this opening show, the grand finale appearances of Ouyang Xianyue and even Zheng Qiudong would follow.

With them present, even facing the young master Meng from Singapore, Tang Song would not lose face.

Though the effect wasn’t quite the dazzling one she originally envisioned, it was good enough.

Everything was unfolding perfectly according to her script.

Lord Tang Song, get ready to step onto the stage Xiao Jing prepared for you!

I will make this your most unforgettable birthday party, then... put on my most beautiful dress and join you at the pinnacle of this city.

To complete the most important ceremony of our lives.

....

6 p.m.

Night had fallen, lights began to shine.

A black Rolls-Royce Cullinan silently slid along the dedicated driveway, smoothly stopping beneath the hotel’s magnificent golden canopy.

Led by the hotel general manager Qiao Anji, four senior executives quickly came forward.

The doorman respectfully opened the rear door.

A pair of shiny tobacco brown Berluti leather shoes touched the ground first.

Then a tall and upright figure calmly stepped out.

The Patek Philippe 5961P wristwatch on his wrist gleamed under the dazzling hotel lights.

“Director Tang!” “Director Tang!”

Qiao Anji approached, voice a bit anxious, “Director Tang, we didn’t know Miss Tian was your girlfriend before, so there was something we didn’t report to you.”

Then he briefly explained the flash performance by the Echo girl group.

Because another shareholder, Yunxi Real Estate, was involved, the hotel fully cooperated.

Moreover, this was a huge promotional advantage for Lan Feng International Hotel and might spark a wave of social media check-ins.

After hearing the report,

Tang Song nodded lightly, “It’s fine, I understand.”

Only then did Qiao Anji relax and immediately lead the way.

Just as they entered the resplendent hotel lobby,

A crisp notification sound rang out instantly:

“Ding! Special event dungeon [Tian Jing’s Birthday Party] has begun!”

[Permission activated...]

[‘Tang Song’s Reflection’ is now in effect]

Tang Song’s footsteps halted in place.

The next second, a strange feeling that defied description swept through his entire body!

He felt as if his consciousness had split into two.

One part remained the “real Tang Song” with emotions, desires, nervousness, anticipation, and curiosity about what was to come.

The other part was instantly extracted and elevated to a higher dimension of absolute calm and absolute rationality.

The world before his eyes changed.

Everyone’s movements around him seemed slowed down.

The hotel executives’ respectful smiles hid tension and schemes;

distant guests’ gazes were full of shock and speculation...

He could “see” every emotional fluctuation, “hear” their true inner thoughts, and “calculate” their most likely next actions.

His mind’s thoughts flowed at unprecedented speed.

Countless ideas appeared like stars, then were easily captured, categorized, and analyzed.

Some long-standing business puzzles suddenly became clear in an instant.

He even reconstructed the cash flow model of Lan Feng International Hotel in a flash, deduced Songmei Apparel’s brand strategy after Double Eleven, assessed the true asset value of Yannan Film Base, and found a more reasonable direction for Rongliu Capital’s upcoming acquisition...

Secretary Jin, Su Yu, Ouyang Xianyue, Wu Kezhi, Anne Kate...

Everyone’s personality, strengths, flaws, abilities, and character...

Like clear character cards, quietly displayed in his mental palace.

All information flowed calmly and orderly in his mind like data streams.

However, this was not complete “divinity.”

Beneath the absolute rationality and aloofness, he could still feel the “real Tang Song’s” heart slightly accelerating at the thought of soon seeing Xiao Jing, feeling his own genuine emotional warmth.

Tang Song gently closed his eyes, sensing the game’s 99-charm “player Tang Song,” and experienced an unprecedented emotional impact.

At this moment, the two consciousnesses perfectly merged.

The “Reflection’s” absolute rationality draped the “real Tang Song” in a special “divine” shell.

He had become a brand-new self.

The surrounding executives noticed the boss suddenly pause and immediately stopped walking.

No one dared to speak, quietly waiting in place.

In just a blink,

Tang Song lifted his eyelids again.

His already deep eyes became even more profound and contemplative.

His handsome face lost its faint gentle smile, replaced by an indescribable coldness and composure.

He had said and done nothing, yet emitted an invisible powerful aura, making the surrounding air feel heavier.