Zhong Ruanxing was woken up by a phone ringtone. She subconsciously reached for her phone with her eyes closed, and after skilfully swiping it open, she realized something was wrong as soon as she answered with a "Hello?".
Why did her voice sound so masculine, like a man's!
She opened her eyes wide in shock and looked at her hand. Her slender wrist was gone, replaced by the strong and sturdy arm of a man, with distinct knuckles. An expensive man's watch adorned the sexy wrist bones.
This wasn't her body.
Zhong Ruanxing was instantly awake.
She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. The mirror reflected a man in a shirt and trousers. The cuffs were rolled up a bit, with two buttons of the collar undone, revealing a bit of his strong and lean physique, as if he had loosened his tie for rest, exuding a hint of lazy elegance.
Zhong Ruanxing's eyes widened.
The man in the mirror also revealed an incongruous comical expression.
"Damn!" Zhong Ruanxing said, "I'm so handsome!"
She suddenly recalled a topic she had seen while surfing the Internet - If you woke up one day and found yourself turned into a man, what would be the first thing you do?
The top reply was: Jerk him off.
Zhong Ruanxing couldn't help glancing down, and quickly stopped her roguish thoughts. The phone on the bed rang again. Zhong Ruanxing ran back and picked it up, seeing a very familiar number on the caller ID display.
It was her own number!
Could the person on the other end be...
She took a deep breath and answered the call again, tentatively saying, "Hello?"
Her own voice came from the other end: "Calmed down yet?"
Zhong Ruanxing: "Ah..."
Song Jinxing: "Check if there's a mole on your left wrist."
Zhong Ruanxing lifted her left hand. Sure enough, there was a tiny mole in the middle of the sinewy wrist, looking especially sexy against the distinct bones.
She replied, "Yes."
The other end spoke in her voice calmly: "I think we have swapped bodies. My name is Song Jinxing, I'm the owner of the body you're in now. Are you Zhong Ruanxing?"
Although she had guessed it earlier, hearing these words still made Zhong Ruanxing gasp: "I am... But how could this happen? Is this scientifically possible?"
Song Jinxing said, "We'll study whether it's scientific or not later. Two things. First, use the phone in your hand now to call Fu Ling and ask him to pick me up at Parking Lot B in Hua Yun Hot Spring Hotel, then send me to the villa on Binhai Road. Second, you're going to attend a family banquet soon. The two oldest people there are my grandparents. Don't expose yourself, just make an excuse and leave early so we can meet at the villa."
Zhong Ruanxing was puzzled: "I don't know anyone. What if I say or call out something wrong?"
Song Jinxing said, "You don't need to say anything. I usually talk very little and don't interact with them. No matter what they ask, just stay silent."
Zhong Ruanxing: "Okay then."
There was a knock outside the door, and a respectful voice said, "Young Master San, it's almost time for the banquet. Old Madam asked me to come get you."
Zhong Ruanxing cleared her throat and said in a low voice, "Got it." She whispered to the phone, "I'm going then."
Song Jinxing: "Mm."
Hearing her own voice become so cold really felt strange.
After hanging up, she followed Song Jinxing's instructions, first finding Fu Ling in the contacts and calling him. It must have been his assistant who instantly picked up: "Boss."
Zhong Ruanxing said, "Go pick someone up for me at Hua Yun Hot Spring Hotel and send them to the villa on Binhai Road. She's waiting for you in Parking Lot B. I'll send you a photo."
Fu Ling said, "Yes boss."
After hanging up, Zhong Ruanxing opened the search app, found a photo of herself and screenshot it to send to Fu Ling. Then she thought for a moment and typed "Song Jinxing" into the search bar.
Related links instantly popped up.
Of course Zhong Ruanxing knew of the Song Group. Top aristocratic family in the capital city. Decades ago when the Song patriarch started the family business in real estate, no one expected the Song enterprises to grow into the country's leading conglomerate spanning construction, e-commerce, software, new energy and more.
The information showed that the young Song Jinxing was the eldest son of Song San, who had just returned to the country after graduating from an Ivy League university half a year ago and was appointed as CEO by the Song patriarch despite opposition, destined to be the next leader of the Song Group.
Looking at the candid side profile picture in the wiki, Zhong Ruanxing fell deep in thought.
So next she was going to dine with the future leader of the capital's top aristocratic family and his entire clan?
Oh my god! She had never seen something this major before! As a third-rate minor celebrity, the most powerful bosses she had dined with couldn't even shine the Songs' shoes!
Stay calm! Don't panic when faced with situations!
Zhong Ruanxing swiftly read through all the information she could find on the Song family members with her gossip consuming speed.
Song patriarch Song Deming, over 80 years old, still the decision maker of Song Group despite retiring from the frontstage.
Song matriarch Zhu Mingqiao, former heiress of the Zhu jewelry family, their marriage still talked about to this day. Back then Zhu Mingqiao was considered marrying down, yet the Songs eventually surpassed the Zhu family in scale and power, leading people to praise the Zhu family's foresight.
The Song couple had four children - three sons and a daughter. Song Jinxing was the eldest son of Song San.
Zhong Ruanxing decided to just remember Song Jinxing's parents for now and learn about the rest later.
However, when she tried to search for information on Song Jinxing's parents, she couldn't find anything. The only old news from over a decade ago mentioned Song San and his wife died unexpectedly, leaving Song Deming devastated and heartbroken overnight, but no details were given.
Over ten years ago... Song Jinxing must have been less than 10 years old then. No wonder he said he didn't interact with the Song family. Information showed he was sent abroad for schooling since middle school, spending these past 10 plus years alone overseas. Having enjoyed parental love since young, Zhong Ruanxing suddenly felt bad for him.
But she quickly chided herself - what right did a broke nobody like her have to feel bad for a billionaire CEO?!
How foolish!
Zhong Ruanxing swiftly brushed aside her cheap sympathy and continued researching.
Eldest Song brother Song Xinwen, second Song brother Song Jingwu, fourth Song sister Song Rusi, all held key positions in the Song Group. Their children also worked in the business, with Song Xinwen's sons even having kids, four generations under one roof. The only one Zhong Ruanxing recognized was Song Jingwu's son Song Lecheng.
A few years ago, Song Lecheng partnered with some people to start Huaguang Media & Entertainment company that only signed female artists. Zhong Ruanxing was excited to be invited for an audition.
However, the process was very dramatic and the outcome extremely painful. Long story short, Zhong Ruanxing was blacklisted by Huaguang and barred from all their invested dramas since.
Just thinking about it made her tear up.
With so many Songs, Zhong Ruanxing decided to just remember the key figures for now. She put away her phone, tidied up the shirt and put on the suit jacket hanging by the side.
The mirror showed the broad shoulders and narrow waist of the handsome man, looking especially sharp in a suit. Zhong Ruanxing couldn't help quirking her brow and curling her lips at her reflection, putting on the signature tycoon's mocking expression.
One-third disdain, one-third indifference, one-third nonchalance.
And successfully made herself drool.