novelraw Chapter 192: Damn You, Old Song!
Chapter 192: Damn You, Old Song!
Lu Kai gave Tang Song a look and then led his date to a table nearby.
He handed her the menu enthusiastically and introduced the restaurant's specialty dishes.
The girl wore a beige camisole dress and studied the menu quietly, appearing reserved.
Lu Kai rubbed his hands nervously, sneaking glances at his blind date, Zhang Qi.
This was their first real meeting.
She seemed shorter than 160 cm and looked more ordinary compared to her photos. Her skin wasn’t as fair either, which was understandable with photo editing.
Her features weren’t unattractive—average, not thin or heavy, resembling the quiet girls often found in college.
After a while, Zhang Qi pointed to a few delicate-looking dishes on the menu.
Lu Kai, with his phone, quickly placed the order through the mini-program and signaled with an “OK” hand gesture. “Done! I also won a free dish of crispy pork belly by collecting likes on my post. I’m going to the counter to claim it. Which flavor do you prefer: original, sweet, spicy, or cumin?”
Zhang Qi blinked, replying offhandedly, “Anything’s fine.”“Great, be right back.” Lu Kai hurried to the counter.
Zhang Qi subtly pursed her lips, taking out her phone to complain to her friends.
This blind date wasn’t meeting her expectations.
It was one thing not to have a car, but Lu Kai hadn’t even offered to pick her up from her office, leaving her to take a cab.
He hadn’t complimented her outfit either—a typical boring, straight-laced programmer.
And was she really that cheap? Collecting likes for a dish?
Crispy pork belly, of all things! Did he want her to gain weight?
After venting to her friends, she felt slightly better.
Moments later, Lu Kai returned.
Zhang Qi tucked away her phone and asked him about his career plans and his thoughts on owning a home and car.
When he mentioned earning in Yan City but planning to buy a house in his hometown, Zhang Qi’s face hardened, and she returned to her phone.
She worked as a clerk at a construction company but was studying for a government position, intending to stay in Yan City.
Seeing Zhang Qi’s sudden silence, Lu Kai awkwardly rubbed his hands and closed his mouth.
They had briefly chatted on WeChat, but her replies were lukewarm. She’d only agreed to meet for a meal.
He didn’t know her preferences well, making it hard to gauge what to say next.
---
Jinxiu Commerce.
The 19th floor of Linjin Tower, leased by the company, was finally renovated, with the HR department and support teams moving in.
The payroll department, staffed by seven people, now had its own office.
Tian Jing, the supervisor, sat at the far end by the window with an impressive white L-shaped desk.
Since it was the beginning of the month, the department was busy calculating salaries.
The rhythmic “click-clack” of keyboards filled the room.
Tian Jing leaned back in her ergonomic chair, crossing her legs with a focused gaze.
Occasionally, she let out a low gasp of excitement.
In the “Second Dimension’s Best Moments” group chat:
[Qingqing: “The moment he saw me, his eyes turned hazy...”]
Tian Jing’s feet stomped lightly as she typed excitedly.
A few days ago, a lovesick, beautiful girl had appeared, fervently chasing her warm-hearted college friend.
Today, Qingqing shared a photo she got from a friend: her boyfriend dining with the beautiful pursuer.
Qingqing had dropped two important meetings, dressed up glamorously, and made a dazzling entrance.
Her boyfriend was stunned, outshining the new girl.
[Qingqing: “He gently cupped my face. His hands were so beautiful, like meticulously crafted works of art, every joint long and strong...”]
Tian Jing bit her lip.
She was completely absorbed!
The “warm-hearted college friend” in Qingqing’s story sounded just like Tang Song, with his perfect hands.
Lost in thought, she clicked on Tang Song’s chat window.
They had been messaging daily, chatting about work and life—it was delightful.
She blinked, typing, “Tang, can I see your hand? Pretty please~ jpg.”
In the privacy of her office, Tian Jing, as the supervisor, had no fear of browsing freely.
“Buzz buzz—”
[Tang Song: Photo.jpg]
Tian Jing quickly replied, “Arigato (thank you), Brother Tang.”
She maximized the photo on her monitor, enjoying the detailed image as her cheeks flushed.
Progress in their relationship meant she could see his hands whenever she wanted, even touch them freely.
Her thighs rubbed together as she recalled holding his hand that night.
Tang Song’s hands were powerful!
“Buzz buzz—”
[Tang Song: “Xiao Jing, still at the office? I’d love to see you.”]
Tian Jing’s eyes lit up with a smile.
She activated the front camera and sent a fresh selfie.
[Tian Jing: “Yep, working overtime. It’s busiest at the start of the month. Let’s play guitar together when we get a chance.”]
Her guitar had been sitting in her room for a month, waiting for a chance to play with Tang Song.
“Buzz buzz—”
[Tang Song: “You’re as cute as ever. Your new office looks nice, and today’s outfit is lovely. By the way, can I see your undershirt? It helps me learn your style for future gifts.”]
(ÒωÓױ)！What!
Tang Song, how could you!
I’m still at work!
Tian Jing bit her lip, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
She glanced around; her coworkers were engrossed in their tasks.
Casually, she untucked her T-shirt from her denim shorts, activated her phone’s camera, and slipped it inside her shirt.
The photo came out blurry due to poor lighting.
She turned on the flash under her desk, taking several more shots inside her shirt.
Glancing at her denim shorts, she hesitated but then undid the button to take a peek shot.
Her face flushed as she reviewed the photos, pale skin tinged with a vivid blush.
Sticking out her tongue, she selected the best angles and sent them.
Looking at her colleagues, her heart raced.
She touched her thigh and wiggled in her chair, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
So thrilling! So exciting! She wanted to continue.
---
“Damn!” Tang Song muttered, stunned, quickly locking his phone.
He’d only meant to tease Tian Jing with a playful joke, like he’d done with the beautician or his business partner before.
But Tian Jing played by different rules, sending him revealing selfies from her office!
Licking his lips, he couldn’t resist checking again.
The first photo showed her upper body, fair skin smooth, with a soft, pink bra partially exposed.
The second was of her lower body, in matching pale-pink panties, revealing just a triangle, complemented by her long, shapely thighs and slender waist—provocative.
Though she still carried her composed, goddess-like aura at work, these photos turned Tang Song’s impression of Tian Jing upside down.
“Buzz buzz—”
[Xu Qing: “Traffic is a bit slow during rush hour, but I’ll be there in two or three minutes.”]
Tang Song replied briefly, setting his phone aside to scan the restaurant.
The place was filling up as time passed.
Chu Mingzhou’s vision had paid off—the ambiance, vibe, and operations were impressive.
He noticed a small, well-decorated stage that matched the restaurant’s theme, suggesting live music performances.
He even spotted a few girls streaming or filming, hinting at the restaurant’s potential to become an internet sensation.
His eyes drifted back to Lu Kai’s table.
This was his first time witnessing a blind date in person, and it felt strange and awkward.
---
Two glasses of chilled lemon juice were served.
Zhang Qi sipped hers and said, “Kai, it’s our first meeting, and it’s Children’s Day. You must have a gift, right? Can I see it?”
Lu Kai’s expression froze, turning awkward.
He remembered Zhang Qi mentioning she was slow to warm up.
This was their first meeting, and to avoid seeming pushy or awkward, he hadn’t brought a gift.
He’d planned to get to know her first and choose a gift once he learned her preferences. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novęlfire.net
He hadn’t expected her to ask outright.
He stammered, “Uh... sorry, I didn’t prepare one. I’ll make it up next time.”
She scoffed playfully, “So you didn’t take this date seriously, not even doing the basics.”
Lu Kai’s face flushed as he mumbled, “I... didn’t know...”
“It’s fine; I was just kidding.” Zhang Qi shook her head. “But Kai, when you date a girl, show her you care. It’s basic courtesy. My friends’ boyfriends surprise them even on regular dates.”
She resumed her complaints to her friends, ignoring him.
“Right...” Lu Kai rubbed his hands, feeling lost.
Single since birth and lacking dating experience, he had secretly admired Zhang Xinrui for years but never confessed. This was his first blind date.
Her words stung, making him doubt himself and feel like crawling into a hole.
He wondered if he should buy her a gift later, even if the date went nowhere, just to save face.
But Zhang Qi paid no attention to him, focusing on her phone.
“Here’s your original crispy pork belly. Enjoy,” the waiter placed the dish between them.“
Thanks!” Lu Kai pushed the dish toward Zhang Qi. “Kiki, try it. It’s highly rated online.”
Zhang Qi rolled her eyes, disgusted, “Kai, I told you I’m on a diet. This pork is greasy and makes me sick.”
Lu Kai’s smile faltered, licking his dry lips, “Should I take it away?”
Without looking up, Zhang Qi nodded slightly.
“My friend is eating here too. I’ll give it to him.”
Taking a deep breath, Lu Kai picked up the crispy pork belly, which he had worked hard to win with likes, and walked over to Tang Song.
Patting Tang Song’s shoulder, he awkwardly said, “Hey Song, we haven’t touched this crispy pork belly. Kiki can’t eat pork. Can you finish it?”
Tang Song chuckled, accepting the dish, “Thanks, Kai. I won’t say no.”
Hearing the conversation, Zhang Qi looked up, her eyes widening.
There was a handsome guy here!
Wearing a white shirt, black slacks, and short hair, he looked fresh and charming with an outstanding presence.
And he was Lu Kai’s friend?
Tang Song grinned, “Thanks, Kai. I appreciate it.”
Lu Kai nodded and explained to Zhang Qi, “This is Tang Song, my college friend and roommate. And this is Zhang Qi... my friend.”
Tang Song greeted her politely.
Zhang Qi responded, hesitating over how to ask for his WeChat.
“Is Tian Jing coming too?” Lu Kai recalled Tang Song’s elegant female companion and asked.
Tang Song’s eyes flickered, “No, not today.”
He felt a bit like a player, having just received racy photos from Tian Jing, while talking about her now.
“Not her? So you and...” Lu Kai began to ask but stopped as Tang Song’s attention shifted behind him.
The click of heels approached, carrying a faint perfume scent.
A sweet voice followed, “Tang Song, sorry for the wait.”
Lu Kai turned, eyes widening, stunned.
The world seemed to blur around a beautiful girl in a JK school uniform.
Her blue and white outfit perfectly framed her curvy figure.
Her long, smooth legs were bare under the pleated skirt, white and straight.
Her fair skin and bright eyes radiated energy and spirit.
She looked like an anime character come to life, an upgraded version of his crush, Zhang Xinrui.
But most shockingly, she was Xu Qing!
The legendary goddess from university! Shen Yuyan’s best friend! Cosplay club president! The unattainable idol for countless male students!
Lu Kai’s heart clenched. He and many others had secretly followed her, sharing her cosplay photos in forums, even sneaking to anime conventions just to see her.
Zhang Qi glanced nervously, stepping back at the sight of the stunning girl.
Xu Qing’s outfit caught the eyes of many male patrons, who couldn’t help but stare.
---
Tang Song stood up, scanning Xu Qing.
He smiled warmly, “Your cosplay today is fantastic. You look amazing.”
Her JK uniform reminded him of Tian Jing’s, though they wore them with distinct styles.
Tian Jing’s slender figure gave off a softer vibe, while Xu Qing’s fuller legs had a touch of allure.
“Thanks! You look great too!” Xu Qing raised her fluffy brows and struck a pose.
Holding a gift bag in front, she smiled sweetly.
Playing the obedient JK girl for Tang Song was worth it today!
She lifted the bag, offering it with a cute tone, “It’s Children’s Day, so I brought you a special gift. Hope you like it.”
Tang Song accepted it, surprised, “Thank you.”
He hadn’t expected this gesture from Xu Qing and felt genuinely delighted.
Luckily, he had luxury items in his car trunk from weekend shopping, perfect for a return gift.
Xu Qing licked her lips, “Open it and see if you like it.”
She tried to control her expression, but her eyes sparkled.
Lu Kai, barely recovering, gaped again.
A gift? From Xu Qing, on Children’s Day? A girl giving a guy a present?
Tang Song pulled out a heavy object, revealing a sleek box.
His eyes widened with joy, “4090!”
Xu Qing’s smile grew as she leaned forward.
Her mind raced.
A 4090! The holy grail of graphics cards!
If you take this, you’ll kneel on a keyboard when we argue, fill your pocket watch with my photos, and carve my name on your tombstone!
Laughing internally, Xu Qing’s eyes darted with excitement.
---
Lu Kai’s eyes turned red, filled with envy and frustration.
This was the dream—Xu Qing, in cosplay, gifting a 4090!
They’d never dared to dream this big.
An avid tech enthusiast, Lu Kai loved building PCs and browsing forums. His current desktop, built in college, ran on an E5 2666V3 CPU and an RX470 GPU.
The whole setup cost less than 2,000 yuan.
Now, seeing the 17,000-yuan ASUS ROG 4090 and Xu Qing, Lu Kai’s eyes welled up.
Damn! Tang Song, you lucky bastard!
Liking Tian Jing was one thing, but Xu Qing? That was painful.
---
Nearby men watching shared his envy, their expressions full of resentment.
“Thanks so much, Qingqing. I love this gift, and I’m planning to build a new PC soon.” Tang Song’s tone turned affectionate.
For a girl to give such a thoughtful gift, she must have done her homework. And a card like that wasn’t cheap—she’d really put in effort.
Though Xu Qing had hoped for more excitement, his words and the way he addressed her still made her grin.
Her eyebrows relaxed, “Glad you like it. Did you order? Dinner’s on me; choose whatever you want.”
“I picked two favorites. See if you’d like to add anything.” Tang Song set the card aside, patting Lu Kai’s shoulder, “By the way, this is Lu Kai, also an alumni of Yan University of Science and Technology, my college roommate. He brought us this crispy pork belly.”
Xu Qing noticed the man next to them for the first time and studied him.
Around 170 cm tall, decent-looking, slightly chubby.
No recollection!
Her dark eyes twinkled as she pretended, “Oh, right! Hi, old classmate! Lu Kai from Software Engineering, Lu Ziming’s roommate. Thanks a lot; I heard this dish is amazing!”
Tang Song’s friends deserved basic courtesy.
Hearing that she remembered him, Lu Kai blushed, “Hi, Xu Qing. Didn’t think you’d remember me. I joined your cosplay club events and even talked at Lu Ziming’s birthday.”
Xu Qing nodded, “Yes, I remember that.”
After brief pleasantries:
“Clap, clap—” Lu Kai patted Tang Song’s shoulder, speaking through gritted teeth, “Our food’s here. Enjoy your meal.”
He returned to his table, steps heavy.
Facing Zhang Qi again, he noticed her avoiding gaze and discomfort.
With Xu Qing’s entrance, his earlier awkwardness and guilt faded.
This was their first meeting; they were just getting to know each other.
He had chosen a table, researched the venue, bought new clothes, and styled his hair—all to show respect to Zhang Qi.
He didn’t need to feel bad for not having a gift.
---
Xu Qing finished ordering.
Suddenly, the restaurant lights flickered, and laser beams scanned the room.
A rhythmic tune played.
Xu Qing smiled, “Chu Mingzhou posted about this; performances start at 7 p.m. Tonight’s the first one, sung by a friend of his.”
Tang Song looked at the stage.
A young, stylish man in his early twenties with mid-length hair, dressed in black, holding a guitar, stood there.
It was Liu Wenning, Gao Mengting’s neighbor and a popular online singer.
His deep, magnetic voice began:
“Six p.m., I shed my work clothes from the factory,
My wife cooks porridge, I grab a beer...
Life like this for 30 years, until the tower collapses...”
Tang Song recognized it: “Kill the Man from Shijiazhuang” by Omnipotent Youth Society.
His gaze shifted.
Under the stage, he noticed another familiar figure—Cheng Qiuqiu, in a plain T-shirt, drinking beer with friends.