Chapter 11 Smile Holding

Xie Shuyu wasn't surprised by Tang Song's answer at all.

Her job didn't have much work, and the pay was fair, so there was no reason to refuse.

"I'll send the company address to your WeChat later, just bring your ID and bank card. I've been busy lately expanding the baking business, so I might not be there. You can ask the office director," she said.

"Okay, thank you for your trust, Sister Shuyu," he paused, and joked, "My apologies, I mean thank you for President Xie's trust."

Xie Shuyu let out a light laugh, "You're just part-time, no need to be so formal."

"Then, let me wish Glimmer Coffee growth and prosperity, creating brilliance together!"

The two gently clinked their tea cups together.

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

With her experience and ability, she was pretty accurate in judging people.

In her impression, Tang Song was a typical "I-person" (introvert).

Quiet, evasive, preferred to think independently, and wasn't good at socializing.

However, this meeting showed he had become much more confident and cheerful, and his overall spirit was fuller.

It was a pleasant surprise.

She preferred communicating with such people. It made things easier and could increase work efficiency.

"President Xie, is that really you! What a coincidence!" a magnetic male voice suddenly interrupted.

Tang Song looked up in surprise and saw a man in his early thirties standing next to Xie Shuyu with a face full of delight.

Black executive jacket, wool sweater, pants, leather shoes.

With parted hair and a leather handbag, he looked gentle and refined.

Xie Shuyu stood up politely, warmly greeted, "Manager Wang, good afternoon."

Manager Wang glanced at Tang Song and casually asked, "Who is this?"

"Tang Song, one of my business partners," Xie Shuyu smiled and introduced, "This is the senior manager of Cloud Mirror Consulting, Wang Yunping."

Wang Yunping extended his hand to Tang Song, "Hello, Mr. Tang."

"Hello," Tang Song quickly stood up and shook his hand.

Wang Yunping shifted his gaze back to Xie Shuyu and sincerely complimented, "A dream's faint return, the dense shadows not yet lifting, the dawn breeze stirs into sparse rain. Every time I see President Xie, I think of this Song dynasty poem. You both possess such grace and beauty!"

"Thank you for the compliment," Xie Shuyu smiled modestly.

Tang Song was slightly stunned. He hadn't realized Xie Shuyu's name had such a beautiful origin.

Awakening from a dream, the sky was gloomy, the thick clouds hadn't dispersed yet, and the early morning light mixed with a fine drizzle.

Perhaps, that was also the origin of "Glimmer Cafe"?

The two exchanged pleasantries with a smile.

Wang Yunping shook his handbag slightly and said, "Our agency recently conducted a survey on the coffee industry in Yan Province and its investment opportunities. Would President Xie like to know more? It might help with your company's financing."

Upon hearing this, Xie Shuyu's eyes lit up, but then she glanced at Tang Song with some difficulty.

After all, she was supposed to be treating him to a meal today, and it seemed somewhat inappropriate.

Seeing Xie Shuyu's hesitation, Tang Song took the initiative to say, "Sister Shuyu, I'm part of Glimmer Coffee now, so you don't have to worry too much about me."

Xie Shuyu hesitated for a moment, then gestured, "Manager Wang, please sit down. Tang Song is not an outsider, currently helping me with some business."

Wang Yunping nodded, sat down next to Tang Song, and his intense gaze stayed on Xie Shuyu.

The two began discussing topics like market size changes, supply chains, product innovation, and investment institutions.

Tang Song quietly listened from the side, yet found no way to join the conversation.

About 20 minutes later,

the pair ended their discussion about investment and switched to various other topics.

It was apparent that Manager Wang was a person of extensive knowledge and retentive memory.

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

Watching the calm, composed, and elegant Wang Yunping beside him, Tang Song once again realized his own inadequacies.

Compared with such a genuine elite, his own comprehensive qualities were far too lacking.

Currently, he was completely unable to interject in the conversation.

He felt a slight sense of loss for a moment.

When the two had nearly finished their conversation,

Wang Yunping finally directed his gaze toward Tang Song, as if he had just remembered that there was someone else beside him.

He casually pulled out a business card and placed it beside Tang Song, chuckling, "Mr. Tang, what industry are you in? Which company do you work for? Perhaps there's an opportunity for us to collaborate.

Cloud Mirror Consulting is a professional research consulting agency focused on the investment field, providing businesses with 'investment research' + 'due diligence' + 'post-investment management'—a comprehensive, professional triple-service."

That's what he said, but with his discernment, he naturally detected some of Tang Song's background.

Thus, the introduction seemed more like a formality and display.

Tang Song was silent for a moment before truthfully replying, "The IT industry; I'm currently a software developer at Jinxiu Commerce."

"Oh?" Wang Yunping raised his eyebrows, crossed his legs, and laughed, "A programmer? That's great. With ChatGPT going wild and AI investment surging, the entire venture capital market is red-hot. Companies that are scarce quickly become unicorns, and outstanding talents have annual salaries of 5 million yuan. Mr. Tang, you have a promising future."

Tang Song pursed his lips, "Thanks for your auspicious words."

Immediately after, Wang Yunping clapped his hands, as if he remembered something, and asked, "Jinxiu Commerce? Is that the one in Linjin Building, Yan City Jinxiu Commerce Co., Ltd.?"

"Yes." Tang Song nodded slightly.

Xie Shuyu asked in surprise, "Manager Wang, do you have a cooperation with Jinxiu?"

Wang Yunping put down his leg, smiled at Xie Shuyu, and said, "Not really, you might not know this, but currently Jinxiu Commerce is very popular in the investment circle of Yan Province, with countless VCs and PEs wanting to swoop in."

Xie Shuyu sat upright, amazed, "Really? How so?"

As her Glimmer Cafe had been seeking financing recently, she had encountered many investors and investment companies. She was curious to know why Jinxiu Commerce had such attraction.

Wang Yunping clasped his hands together, resting his elbows on the dining table, and laughed, "Simple, it has been noticed by 'Smile Capital'!"

"Smile Capital!?" Tang Song blurted out, his facial expression slightly bewildered.

Wang Yunping frowned slightly, not liking Tang Song's inexperienced and overly excited demeanor.

Even if he knew his company was going to thrive, there was no need to get so worked up, right?

Xie Shuyu's eyes were filled with envy and shock, "It seems Yan City will have another publicly listed company."

Wang Yunping glanced at Tang Song and calmly said, "Not necessarily. Although Jinxiu Commerce is a leader in its field in Yan City, it's not significant in the national market. Right now, the investment community is still studying the investment logic of Smile Capital this time."

Tang Song's expression changed a few times, and turning his head toward Wang Yunping, his voice trembling a bit, "What is the relationship between Smile Capital and Smile Holding, then?"

Wang Yunping frowned slightly, somewhat reluctant to answer this basic question.

But considering the presence of Xie Shuyu opposite him, he responded, "Smile Capital is the CVC (corporate venture capital) institution under Smile Holding. As for Smile Holding, I don't need to elaborate, right? It's a name that few in our country haven't heard."

Tang Song's mind buzzed, and his heartbeat began to race.

In the "Attractive Man Growth Plan" game, the first company he created was 'Smile Holding'.

The name came from his first drawn extremely rare character card [Secretary Jin], whose original name was Jin Meixiao.