The Subtle Seduction of My Ex-Girlfriend’s Aunt - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: How Do You Know It Won’t Work If You Don’t Try?

The catering project for the Convention Center saw a turn for the better. After Shengtang’s winning status was revoked, no further accidents occurred, and Tang’s naturally moved up from the waiting list to secure the bid.

Effort had not been wasted, and a delighted GM Yu treated everyone to afternoon tea for three consecutive days.

Friday at work.

It was only after a reminder from her assistant, Xiao Chen, that Tang Ran remembered she had a business gala to attend that evening. The Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce was holding its leadership transition this year, and an inauguration banquet was being held at the Lychee Hotel.

The invitation had been sent a month ago. At that time, Tang Ran—before her rebirth—had no interest in these social-heavy gatherings and hadn’t given it a second thought.

Things were different now.

Business galas, meetings, and forums were all bridges for networking, exchanging industry information, realizing resource swaps, and developing partnerships. The Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce had been established for over a century; tonight’s banquet brought together elites from all walks of life in Jiangcheng, providing a rare opportunity to expand one’s social circle.

After Xiao Chen left, Tang Ran called Miao Tiantian.

The phone rang for a long time before being picked up. A yawn reached Tang Ran’s ears before a voice did.

“Ranran.”

Miao Tiantian sounded weak and listless—the unmistakable sign of someone who had pulled an all-nighter.

“Up late drawing again?”

Miao Tiantian loved to have fun, but she was serious and responsible when it came to work. She usually only stayed out all night on weekends.

“Yeah, didn’t sleep until four.”

Ever since discovering that her “Tier 1 Beauty” was actually her nitpicky client, Miao Tiantian’s dreams had been crushed, and she immediately extinguished that little flicker of romance in her heart. On one hand, she disliked getting involved with clients; on the other, the image of that woman being a “pain in the neck” was far too vivid. Miao Tiantian was easygoing by nature and couldn’t stand people who made a fuss over every little detail.

The nitpicky client seemed to have the same idea at first—keeping business and pleasure separate—and remained as critical as ever. But lately, for some unknown reason, the woman had become surprisingly easy to talk to.

Instead of being relieved, Miao Tiantian developed PTSD. The client had requested revisions within seven days, but Miao Tiantian worked herself to the bone to finish them two days early, fearing that the client would find more faults and delay construction.

Hearing that she wasn’t fully awake, Tang Ran didn’t waste time and asked if she was going to the Chamber of Commerce banquet.

Miao Tiantian was the most courageous “social terrorist” in her circle. Almost everyone of their age and social stratum in Jiangcheng was in Miao Tiantian’s WeChat contacts. With her there, expanding Tang Ran’s network would be much easier.

Miao Tiantian hadn’t planned on going, but upon hearing Tang Ran was attending, she agreed to accompany her. The two didn’t chat for long, agreeing to meet in the afternoon for styling before hanging up.

Evening. Lychee Hotel.

The luxurious banquet hall was ablaze with lights. Crystal chandeliers radiated brilliance, music drifted through the air, and the scent of sweet champagne lingered. The influence of the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce was not to be underestimated; in addition to industry elites, the CEOs of all major top enterprises in Jiangcheng attended in person.

Although they couldn’t squeeze into the circle of the “big shots,” Tang Ran still met many new friends thanks to Miao Tiantian’s social butterfly skills.

“Tsk.”

Miao Tiantian clicked her tongue in disgust as her gaze swept over a group nearby. In the middle of the crowd stood Sun Jiaojiao in a purple gown, surrounded by five “loyal sisters” with flattering smiles. One of the lackeys noticed Miao Tiantian and her group and immediately reported to Sun Jiaojiao.

Sun Jiaojiao looked toward Tang Ran, a flash of gloominess crossing her eyes.

“Why does she look more and more insidious?” Miao Tiantian warned Tang Ran. “Be careful. Looking at that ghost-like face of hers, she’s definitely up to no good.”

Miao Tiantian had also heard about the catering bid. Knowing Sun Jiaojiao’s twisted personality, she wouldn’t think Shengtang had its own problems; instead, she’d flip the script and think Tang’s stole her project, leading her to pick a fight with Tang Ran.

“Mhm.”

Actually, regardless of the bid, Sun Jiaojiao would find trouble anyway. However, given the scale of today’s event, Tang Ran felt Sun Jiaojiao wouldn’t dare to be overtly malicious.

After a while, as Tang Ran was chatting with someone nearby, Miao Tiantian suddenly nudged her with an elbow.

“Is that Song Wuqi’s young aunt?”

Tang Ran turned her head and instinctively looked in the direction indicated. The banquet hall was bustling, but through the crowd of clinking glasses, Tang Ran spotted that figure at a glance, head lowered in conversation.

Song Zhixu’s beauty needed no words. Her champagne-colored gown was simple and elegant, and combined with her naturally tall stature, she was striking wherever she stood.

As if sensing something, Song Zhixu lifted her eyes and met Tang Ran’s gaze. Her gentle eyes curved, and a smile blossomed on her lips like a pear flower—clear, elegant, and moving.

Tang Ran’s fingers tightened slightly around her wine glass, and a hint of heat involuntarily rose to her ears. She pursed her lips slightly and returned a calm smile.

“My god, this sister’s smile could kill,” Miao Tiantian gasped, whispering in awe. She pulled Tang Ran closer and muttered, “That suggestion I gave you last time… are you really not going to reconsider it?”

Hearing her bring it up again, Tang Ran was stunned for a moment, and her ears felt even hotter for some reason. But despite the heat, her logic remained intact.

Tang Ran gave Miao Tiantian a helpless look. “Do you think that’s even possible?”

As she spoke, she instinctively glanced toward Song Zhixu, but she retracted her gaze after just a second. She felt even more certain of her answer. Setting everything else aside, look at where the two of them were standing, and look at where Song Zhixu was.

In the dead center of the hall, surrounded by Chamber leaders and industry giants. Even though they were under the same roof, that distance of less than ten meters was a chasm most people in the room wouldn’t cross in a lifetime.

She and Song Zhixu were too far apart. To Tang Ran, replacing her fiancé with Song Zhixu was an impossible dream. She would be grateful to high heaven if she could just build enough of a relationship so that Song Zhixu wouldn’t help Song Wuqi when the time came for them to have their final fallout.

“How do you know it won’t work if you don’t try?” Miao Tiantian shook her head.

“Sister Tiantian.”

As the two were whispering, a clear voice rang out behind them. Hearing it, Miao Tiantian turned around immediately, her smile genuine. “Qiu Yuan? When did you get back?”

The newcomer was named Qiu Yuan, the daughter of Miao Tiantian’s mother’s best friend. She was three years younger than Miao Tiantian and attended university in the capital.

“Just got back yesterday.”

Qiu Yuan winked at Miao Tiantian and then looked at Tang Ran with a smile. “Sister Tiantian, aren’t you going to introduce me to this beautiful sister next to you?”

The two were close, and Miao Tiantian could tell in one sentence that this girl had a good impression of Tang Ran. Miao Tiantian’s eyes lit up instantly. Knowing that Tang Ran would break up with Song Wuqi sooner or later, she had already been looking for a new partner for her friend.

Qiu Yuan was a great choice. Aside from being a bit young, her looks, family background, and personality were all top-tier—and as someone who saw her grow up, Miao Tiantian trusted her completely.

Miao Tiantian pulled Tang Ran forward. “This is my best friend, Tang Ran. Tang Ran, this is Qiu Yuan, Auntie Yuan’s daughter.”

Miao Tiantian smiled eagerly, completely forgetting her previous suggestion that Tang Ran should “try” for Song Zhixu.

“Hello.” Tang Ran reached out her hand.

After Miao Tiantian’s parents passed away, her mother’s best friend, Yuan Jie, had taken great care of her. Tang Ran often heard her mention Auntie Yuan and Qiu Yuan, so her impression of them was very positive.

“Hello, Sister Tang.” Qiu Yuan shook hands politely.

The three chatted for a while, and Miao Tiantian subtly nudged them to exchange WeChat.

“Is the background of your profile picture Naya Bay?” Qiu Yuan asked with a smile. Naya Bay was famous for its glacial landscapes and was a favorite for hikers.

“Yes, I went there a few years ago.”

“When did you go?”

Tang Ran thought for a moment. “The photo was taken last year.”

“Really?” Qiu Yuan said in surprise. “I was on an exchange program in Country H last year, and I went hiking at Naya Bay almost every weekend.” She tilted her glass playfully and smiled. “Maybe we met back then without knowing it.”

Tang Ran clinked glasses with her gently and smiled. “It’s possible.”

She took a sip, and out of the corner of her eye, she seemed to catch a lingering gaze. She turned her head slightly to see Song Zhixu holding a glass, walking over with an elegant stride.

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