Chapter 11: Smile Holdings

Xie Shuyu was not at all surprised by Tang Song’s answer.

She didn’t have much work on her end, and the pay was reasonable, so there was no reason for him to refuse.

“I’ll send the company address to your WeChat later. Just bring your ID card and bank card. I’ve been busy expanding the bakery business lately and might not be there, so you can look for the office manager.”

“Understood, thank you for your trust, Sister Shuyu.” After a pause, Tang Song joked, “Wait, that’s wrong. It should be ‘thank you for your trust, President Xie.’”

Xie Shuyu chuckled, “You’re just working part-time; there’s no need to be so formal.”

“Then, I wish Vlight Coffee growth, prosperity, and a brilliant future!”

The two raised their tea cups and clinked them gently.

Xie Shuyu looked at Tang Song with a hint of curiosity.

Based on her experience and ability, her judgment of people was usually quite accurate.

In her impression, Tang Song was a typical “I-type” (introvert).

Silent, avoidant, fond of independent thinking, and not good at socializing.

Yet, meeting him this time, he seemed much more confident and cheerful, and his overall spirit was more vibrant.

It was a small, pleasant surprise.

She preferred communicating with people like this; it was much easier and improved work efficiency.

“President Xie, it really is you! What a coincidence!” A magnetic male voice suddenly came from nearby.

Tang Song looked up in surprise and saw a man in his early thirties standing beside Xie Shuyu with a look of pleasant surprise.

He wore a black executive jacket, a sweater, dress slacks, and leather shoes.

With a side-parted hairstyle and a leather clutch, he looked refined and elegant.

Xie Shuyu stood up politely and said warmly, “Manager Wang, good afternoon.”

Manager Wang glanced at Tang Song and asked casually, “And this is?”

“Tang Song, a business partner of mine.” Xie Shuyu smiled and introduced him, “This is Wang Yunping, a senior manager at Yunjing Consulting.”

Wang Yunping took the initiative to reach out to Tang Song, saying, “Hello, Mr. Tang.”

“Hello.” Tang Song quickly stood up to shake his hand.

Wang Yunping shifted his gaze back to Xie Shuyu and praised her sincerely, “The dream first awakens, the heavy clouds have yet to part, the dawn light blows into a sparse rain. Every time I see you, President Xie, I am reminded of this Song poem—you are just as elegant and beautiful!”

“Thank you for the compliment.” Xie Shuyu smiled reservedly.

Tang Song was slightly stunned; he hadn’t expected Xie Shuyu’s name to come from that poem. It was indeed beautiful.

Waking from a dream, the sky is overcast, the thick clouds have not yet dispersed, and the morning’s faint light is mixed with sparse, fine rain.

Perhaps, this was also the origin of “Vlight Coffee”?

The two exchanged a few pleasantries about the past.

Wang Yunping shook his clutch and said, “Our firm recently investigated the current state and investment opportunities of the coffee industry in Yan Province. Would you like to learn about it, President Xie? It might be helpful for your company’s financing.”

Hearing this, Xie Shuyu’s eyes lit up instantly, but then she looked at Tang Song with some hesitation.

After all, she was the one who invited him to lunch today; it felt a bit inappropriate.

Tang Song noticed Xie Shuyu’s concern and took the initiative to say, “Sister Shuyu, I’m a member of Vlight Coffee now too, so don’t worry about me.”

Xie Shuyu hesitated for a moment and gestured, “Manager Wang, please sit. Tang Song is not an outsider; he is currently helping me handle some business.”

Wang Yunping nodded and sat down right next to Tang Song, his slightly intense gaze remaining fixed on Xie Shuyu.

The two began to chat about topics like market scale changes, supply chains, product innovation, and investment institutions.

Tang Song listened quietly from the side, unable to find a way to join the conversation.

About twenty minutes later.

The two stopped talking about investment and began chatting about other things.

It was clear that this Manager Wang was a man of broad knowledge and a good memory.

He knew a bit about everything—coffee beans, luxury goods, and art.

Tang Song watched the calm, refined Wang Yunping chatting away beside him and once again realized his own shortcomings.

Compared to a true elite like this, his own comprehensive literacy was far behind.

As he was now, he had no ability to interject at all.

For a moment, he felt a little dejected.

When the two had finished their conversation, Wang Yunping finally turned his gaze toward Tang Song, as if he had finally remembered there was someone else at the table.

He casually pulled out a business card and placed it by Tang Song’s hand, saying with a smile, “What industry are you in, Mr. Tang? Which company do you work for? Perhaps we can cooperate in the future.

Yunjing is a professional research and consulting firm focused on the investment field, providing comprehensive and specialized services that integrate ‘investment research,’ ‘due diligence,’ and ‘post-investment management.’”

That was what he said, but with his keen eye, he had naturally already figured out some of Tang Song’s background.

Therefore, this introduction was more of a formality and a display of status.

Tang Song was silent for a moment, then said truthfully, “The IT industry. I’m currently doing software development at Jinxiu Trading.”

“Oh?” Wang Yunping raised an eyebrow, crossed his legs, and smiled. “A programmer? That’s great. With ChatGPT surging and AI investment advancing, the entire venture capital market is red-hot. Scarce companies become unicorns in minutes, and top talent can command annual salaries of 5 million. Mr. Tang, you have a bright future ahead.”

Tang Song pursed his lips, “I’ll take your word for it.”

Immediately after, Wang Yunping clapped his hands, as if remembering something. “Jinxiu Trading? Is that the one in Linjin Building? Yan City Jinxiu Trading Co., Ltd.?”

“Yes.” Tang Song nodded slightly.

Xie Shuyu asked in surprise, “Does Manager Wang have a partnership with Jinxiu Trading?”

Wang Yunping put his leg down, smiled at Xie Shuyu, and said, “Not exactly. You might not know, but Jinxiu Trading is currently red-hot in the investment circle. Countless VCs and PEs are trying to get a piece of it.”

Xie Shuyu sat up straight, amazed. “How so?”

Her Vlight Coffee had been seeking financing recently and had been in contact with many investors and investment firms.

She had gained some understanding of the capital market and was very curious why Jinxiu Trading had such great appeal.

Wang Yunping folded his hands and rested his elbows on the table. “It’s simple: it’s been scouted by Smile Capital.”

“Smile Capital?” Tang Song blurted out, his expression stiffening.

Wang Yunping frowned slightly, clearly not liking Tang Song’s startled reaction.

Xie Shuyu pursed her lips, her eyes full of shock. “Well, it looks like Yan City will have one more listed company in a few years.”

Wang Yunping glanced at Tang Song and said calmly, “Not necessarily. Although Jinxiu Trading is a leader in its field in Yan City, it’s nothing compared to the national market. Currently, the investment world is still studying the logic behind Smile Capital’s investment.”

Tang Song gripped his hands tightly, his expression shifting. “Then what is the relationship between Smile Capital and Smile Holdings?”

Wang Yunping didn’t really want to answer what he considered a low-level question.

However, out of consideration for Xie Shuyu across from him, he spoke up: “Smile Capital is the CVC (Corporate Venture Capital) arm under Smile Holdings. As for Smile Holdings, I don’t need to explain that, do I? There should be very few people who haven’t heard that name.”

A “buzz” went off in his brain, and Tang Song’s heart began to beat violently.

In the game *Male God Growth Plan*, the first company he created was “Smile Holdings,” and it also had a CVC arm called Smile Capital.

The name came from the first extremely rare character card he drew: [Secretary Jin], whose original name was Jin Meixiao.

(End of chapter)