novelraw Chapter 207: Don’t Be Like This!
Chapter 207: Don’t Be Like This!
The night sky descended, and the stars intertwined with the neon lights of the city.
Tang Song leaned against the glass wall of the living room, staring at the distant skyline while sipping his glass of chilled whiskey.
His mind was flooded with images of Wen Ruan as she left, especially that final scene when she cried.
It was the first time he had ever seen her cry.
There was no shouting, no hysteria. Even as tears streamed down her face, she remained calm and composed.
And yet, it was precisely her restraint that made Tang Song feel the depth of her struggle and pain.
He had to admit, at first, he was drawn to her purely because of her stunning figure and captivating looks.
But as they spent more time together, his feelings for her deepened, becoming something far more profound. Calling it love wouldn’t be an overstatement.
Wen Ruan was carefree and generous, with an abundance of interests that gave her a lively charm. Her approach to life was relaxed, her personality both strong and independent.
She was always the perfect elder sister figure—warm, considerate, and occasionally playful. She had a knack for understanding his feelings and engaging in his mischief with grace.In short, she was irresistible.
But as much as he cared for her, he also understood he couldn’t offer her what she ultimately wanted—marriage.
After all, their relationship had begun with a casual, "What if?"—it wasn’t exactly built on stable ground.
Sighing, Tang Song set his glass down, walked into his study, and picked up his acoustic guitar.
He began strumming a few chords aimlessly, letting the music flow to clear his thoughts.
The rhythm shifted as he started humming softly, adjusting the melody with each note.
After a while, his fingers began to ache, and he set the guitar aside.
He turned to his sketchbook and pencils on the desk. Inspiration flooded his mind as he flipped to a blank page and clicked on his action camera to record his creative process.
He carefully scraped layers of graphite from his pencil using a knife, letting the black powder sprinkle across the pristine paper.
Grabbing a tissue, he spread the graphite dust evenly across the sheet, tinting it gray.
Switching off the study’s main lights and leaving only the dim corner lamp on, the paper seemed to turn completely black.
With a delicate touch, he picked up his eraser and began to carve out details. The sharp strokes of the eraser created intricate contrasts that slowly brought an image to life.
Minutes passed, his fingers covered in charcoal.
When he finished, he switched the lighting back on and gave the paper a gentle shake. Graphite dust fell away, revealing the portrait he had drawn.
It was Wen Ruan.
Her face was luminous, her hair tousled by a gentle breeze. Her teary eyes were framed by long lashes, her expression vulnerable and tender.
Tang Song stared at the sketch for a long time, lost in thought. He reached out to lightly trace the outline of her tear-streaked eyes.
June 5, 2023, Monday, Sunny, 18~34°C
Beicheng Garden Residential Area
——————
“Do you like it, Qingqing?”
Sunlight poured through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over Tang Song’s tall and elegant figure. His chiseled features exuded determination and confidence, as if he could see through all the mysteries of the world.
Xu Qing’s gaze swept across the villa’s layout. The colors, decor, and design were exactly her style.
Tang Song placed a set of keys into her palm. “This villa is for you. From now on, you’ll live here. I’ll arrange for a housekeeper, a driver, a personal assistant, and a bodyguard for you. Of course, if you need me, I can show up anytime as well.”
Xu Qing coughed lightly and said, “I like it very much. Fine, I’ll reluctantly accept it. Go ahead and make all the arrangements.”
“As long as you like it!” His eyes were full of tenderness, as if she was the most precious treasure in the world.
“Oh, and my best friend too,” Xu Qing added.
“No problem. Your best friend is my best friend. I’ll buy her a villa next door so you two can be neighbors for life.”
“That’s not necessary. We can both stay in this one.”
“As you wish. The three of us can live here together if that makes you happy.” Tang Song immediately hugged her.
Startled, Xu Qing gasped, her face flushing bright red as she froze in his arms.
——————
“Qingqing! Qingqing!”
A soothing voice echoed in the bedroom.
Xu Qing let out a startled “Ah!” and sat up, her face flushed.
Looking at her best friend standing by the bed, she averted her gaze. “What’s up, Yanyan?”
Shen Yuyan pinched Xu Qing’s slightly chubby cheeks. “Hurry up and get up! The sun’s already high in the sky, and you’re going to be late.”
“What?” Xu Qing grabbed her phone from the bedside table. Seeing the time, she let out a scream and began frantically changing clothes.
For the past few days, her novel had been steadily gaining traction. The results were better and better, with readers loving the new male lead even more than the previous CEO character. Feedback was overwhelming, and she even had her own fan group now.
Last night, she was so excited about her writing that she didn’t fall asleep until 1 a.m., which caused her to oversleep and dream a bizarre mishmash of reality and fiction.
At one moment, she was Xu Yanqing, and the next, she was Xu Qing.
“What kind of dream were you having? I came in and heard you giggling and rolling around hugging your blanket,” Shen Yuyan asked curiously.
Xu Qing’s face turned bright red as she shrank back. “I don’t remember.”
But her mind betrayed her, replaying vivid scenes from her dream.
Since “Xu Yanqing” was essentially a combination of her and Shen Yuyan, by the end of the dream, the two of them were living in a villa with Tang Song.
It was too embarrassing!
Shen Yuyan studied her for a moment, then said, “Hurry up and get ready. I’ll drive you to work.”
“Oh, okay.” Xu Qing nodded and hurried into the bathroom.
Shen Yuyan chuckled and returned to her room to do her makeup.
Ten minutes later, the two hurried downstairs and climbed into a sleek black Mercedes E-Class.
Seated in the passenger seat, Xu Qing adjusted her seat and admired the interior. “Not bad. This car suits your boss vibes.”
As the engine roared to life, Shen Yuyan laughed. “If it weren’t for the event, I wouldn’t have splurged on such an expensive rental.”
Youjie Cleaning was still a small company with limited cash flow, unable to afford cars for its executives. Even their rental contracts were short-term, only used when necessary.
For instance, this Mercedes E-Class, without a driver, cost 700 yuan per day—a price Shen Yuyan deemed acceptable.
The upcoming event at the Yan City Entrepreneurship Incubation Base was an official support initiative, particularly friendly to start-ups run by college students like theirs. It was also an excellent opportunity to meet potential investors.
As they chatted, Xu Qing absentmindedly touched the designer chain handbag that Tang Song had gifted her. She pulled out a Chanel lipstick and applied it using the vanity mirror.
Shen Yuyan glanced at her. “You’re still not telling me who that guy chasing you is?”
Xu Qing paused, her cheeks turning pink. “He’s just a friend. I only interact with him to help you secure investment.”
At the mention of investment, Shen Yuyan’s expression dimmed.
She had poured all her time and energy into Youjie Cleaning, full of high hopes. During the start-up phase, Zhang Tianqi provided business channels, Hou Shaoyuan contributed funding, and she managed the operations.
Everything had gone smoothly, with the company achieving stable profitability after two years.
But when it came to raising more funds, they hit an unprecedented roadblock. The company had reached a plateau: the project lacked appeal, partners were indifferent, and investors were dismissive.
She felt utterly stuck, unsure of what to do next.
“Ding-dong.”
The sound of a WeChat notification broke the silence.
Xu Qing glanced at her phone and felt a spark of excitement, only for her brows to furrow upon reading the message.
【Tang Song: “CPU: Intel i9-13900KS, Motherboard: ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790, Power Supply: ASUS ROG Thor II 1600W...”】
The list continued with items like water cooling systems, casings, fans, and GPU brackets—dozens of components that left her dizzy.
So... building a PC required this many parts?
She stuck out her tongue and replied, “Got it! I’ll ask that alumnus for help with the order.”
No sooner had she sent the message than another notification came.
【Tang Song: “WeChat transfer 50,000.00 yuan, please accept.”】
【Tang Song: “Thanks, Qingqing. This setup should cost around 40,000. The extra is for your trouble.”】
“Ah!” Xu Qing gasped, her eyes widening.
10,000 yuan as a service fee? Jackpot!
“What’s going on, Qingqing?” Shen Yuyan asked, glancing at her.
“Nothing. You focus on driving; I’m just chatting with a friend,” Xu Qing replied, wiping a bit of drool before swiftly accepting the transfer.
The screen refreshed:
【You’ve received the funds. 50,000.00 yuan has been deposited into your wallet.】
Seeing the long string of digits in her WeChat balance, Xu Qing’s hands trembled with excitement.
Quickly calculating, she realized she had close to 100,000 yuan in total across her accounts and cash. For someone who had never been this well-off, she felt giddy with wealth—even if it was only temporary before being spent on PC components.
After some brainstorming, Xu Qing typed: “Got it! I’ll handle it for you.”
She immediately forwarded the list to her alumnus Liu Shuaibo, adding a note: “Shuaibo, use your insider connections and see how much this will cost!”
Thanks to her network, what might cost 40,000 at market rates could hopefully be done for less.
Satisfied with her cleverness, Xu Qing glanced at her best friend, hesitated, then bit her lip before messaging Tang Song: “By the way, did you review Youjie Cleaning’s business plan? What do you think, President Tang?”
Waiting for his reply, Xu Qing fidgeted nervously.
Although the money thrilled her, her best friend’s business was a much bigger priority. Tang Song had previously said he’d invest if the company had no issues.
He wouldn’t deceive someone as cute as her, would he?
“Qingqing, we’re almost at your office. Get ready to hop out,” Shen Yuyan said, patting Xu Qing’s cold legs. “Why do I feel like your legs are shaking?”
Xu Qing pouted, about to respond when her phone buzzed again.
【Tang Song: “No problem. I agree to invest through equity expansion. I’m busy these days, but let’s arrange a meal with Shen Yuyan in a few days to discuss due diligence.”】
Xu Qing’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she hurriedly replied, “Got it, got it. Thank you, Tang Song! Let me know if you need anything!”
Yes! Xu Qing was amazing! The chosen one!
Her best friend had been fretting for months, and she’d fixed it with a casual conversation!
“Ding-dong.”
【Tang Song: “There’s nothing I need right now. But if you insist on thanking me, send me a photo. I remember you had twin ponytails in college—do you have a cosplay pic with that hairstyle?”】
His request wasn’t unreasonable, considering how much trust he’d shown her.
Xu Qing licked her lips and found a photo of herself in a twin-ponytail gym outfit, then sent it over.
“Ding-dong.”
【Tang Song: “Very nice. I’ve mastered that camera. Let’s schedule a shoot
soon, and you can wear that outfit. I’ll be your photographer.”】
What?!
ε＝ε＝(#>д<)
She had never let a male photographer shoot her photos!
Imagining herself posing in awkward positions under his direction, Xu Qing shook her head violently. No way!
But the investment wasn’t finalized yet. She couldn’t afford to act willfully.
After a fierce internal struggle, Xu Qing gritted her teeth and replied, “Okay, no problem.”
“Ding-dong.”
【Tang Song: “By the way, do you have a picture of Shen the School Belle? Send me one so I can recognize her for future discussions.”】
How infuriating! Tang Song was pushing his luck!
After gnashing her teeth, Xu Qing finally caved and sent a photo from their outing yesterday.
Seeing the two pictures in the chat window, she puffed her cheeks in frustration. Why did her best friend look so pure while she appeared so sultry?
“Hey, silly Qing! Why are you zoning out? Get out of the car; I need to head to work!” Shen Yuyan parked the car and knocked on Xu Qing’s head.
Xu Qing looked up and, for once, didn’t care about the nickname.
Grabbing Shen Yuyan’s face with both hands, she met her gaze and said excitedly, “Yanyan, I got your investment secured!”
“What do you mean?” Shen Yuyan raised her elegant eyebrows.
“Mwah!” Xu Qing planted a kiss on her cheek and shook her playfully. “Remember that friend I mentioned? He reviewed your business plan and agreed to invest. He wants to meet for dinner soon to discuss due diligence.”
Being a legal professional, Xu Qing naturally understood what due diligence entailed.
In capital operations such as acquisitions and investments, due diligence involves a comprehensive, in-depth, and detailed investigation into the target company's assets, liabilities, operations, and financial conditions.
It is one of the most critical steps in the investment and acquisition process.
In other words, Tang Song’s confirmation essentially made this deal a done deal!
“This…” Shen Yuyan stared at her in astonishment.
She knew her best friend too well, and Xu Qing was clearly being serious!
“Who is he? What’s his background?” Shen Yuyan’s eyes sparkled with a sudden surge of energy and vitality.
At this point, Xu Qing decided there was no need to hide it anymore.
Since middle school, Shen Yuyan had always been the most dazzling one in their circle. Her friends were always the best and brightest, while Xu Qing often felt overshadowed.
When she discovered the “hidden gem” that was Tang Song, she deliberately kept him a secret—not out of any malicious intent but purely to have her moment to shine.
Someday, she wanted to stand proudly before her best friend and say, “See? I’ve got my own connections, my own network, and resources. Aren’t you impressed?”
And now, this moment played out exactly as she had imagined.
Xu Qing laughed triumphantly, planting her hands on her hips and puffing out her chest. “He’s our classmate from college—Tang Song from the Computer Science department, Software Engineering major!”
“Tang Song?” Shen Yuyan’s eyes widened as an image of a tall, poised figure came to mind.
He was the technical director of Shimmer Coffee and had given an impressive performance at a roadshow.
“How could it be him?” she muttered before narrowing her eyes suspiciously. “Didn’t I ask you about him before? What did you say then? And that time you wore the JK uniform—was it a date with him?”
Xu Qing’s expression froze momentarily, but she quickly deflected. “I don’t remember. Did that happen? Anyway, what matters now is that Tang Song, as a favor to me, has agreed to invest in Youjie Cleaning! Go get ready; we’ll be hosting his due diligence team in a few days!”
“Qingqing, this is serious. You’re not joking with me, are you?” Despite knowing Xu Qing’s personality, Shen Yuyan sought confirmation.
Xu Qing squished her friend’s face playfully. “I’m not kidding. Tang Song’s doing very well for himself right now. He drives a Mercedes S-Class—money isn’t an issue for him! You’ll see for yourself when we meet him!”
Shen Yuyan’s gaze flickered, and she lightly bit her lip. “Alright, I believe you.”
Xu Qing hugged her tightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Once your company secures the funding, it’ll thrive! When you make it big, I’ll make it big too, and we’ll stay best friends forever!”
——
30th Floor, Yunxi Tower.
Songmei Fashion.
Tang Song chuckled softly to himself.
He had only meant to tease Xu Qing, but to his surprise, she had taken it seriously and agreed to everything.
Opening the photo of Shen Yuyan, he admired her features. Check latest chapters at novelFɪre.net
Her oval face, brimming with collagen, framed her large, elegant features. She had the quintessential school belle’s pure and fresh appearance.
Although it had been three years since graduation, her looks hadn’t changed much. However, her demeanor had matured—her bright, spirited eyes and upright posture made her look like a graceful swan.
Just standing there, she was a striking sight.
Putting down his phone, Tang Song turned to his computer screen.
Displayed was the “Youjie Cleaning Investment Research Report” sent by Slover Trust earlier that morning.
The investment evaluation wasn’t high. It was an ordinary company with average profitability, average capabilities, and limited potential in its industry. For such a company, obtaining venture capital would indeed be challenging.
He glanced back at the photos of Shen Yuyan and Xu Qing and smiled to himself.
None of that mattered.
For Tang Song, college symbolized a period of mediocrity. Shen Yuyan and Xu Qing represented once-unattainable dreams. Interacting with them, witnessing their astonishment, and earning their admiration boosted his confidence and personal charm.
And of course, it didn’t hurt that both women were very attractive—especially Shen Yuyan.
Tang Song vividly remembered the second semester of freshman year when a candid photo of Shen Yuyan went viral online.
It circulated across campus forums, chat groups, and message boards, earning her the title of “School Belle.”
Back then, his roommate Lu Ziming had resolved to pursue her, chasing her for years before ultimately giving up.
Thinking of Lu Ziming, Tang Song chuckled and rubbed his temples.
It was about time he moved his belongings out of Qingxin Homestead. Maybe he’d treat Lu Ziming to a meal as thanks for all his help over the years.
——
“Knock, knock.”
A rap on the door interrupted his thoughts.
“President Tang, Mr. Liu is here. He’s waiting in the conference room,” announced Zhang Ying from HR.
“Got it. I’ll be there shortly.” Tang Song composed himself, stood, and headed toward the conference room.
Pushing open the glass doors, he spotted a familiar figure.
Liu Mingchang, aged 30, had slightly rough skin and average looks.
However, as a self-made small business owner, he exuded a determined and pragmatic aura.
“Good morning, Brother Liu.”
“Good morning, President Tang!” Liu Mingchang quickly stood and shook his hand.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two sat down to discuss Liu’s previous work experience, his knowledge of e-commerce, and an overview of Songmei Fashion’s operations.
The “Leader” effect from Tang Song’s role as President of Songmei Fashion activated, enhancing his intuition and analytical skills.
Tang Song cut to the chase. “As I mentioned on the phone, Songmei Fashion is on the brink of major expansion.
“I’m about to establish a dedicated inventory and logistics management department. Your experience in warehousing and logistics, along with your entrepreneurial spirit, makes you a perfect fit.
“I admire your skills and character, and I’d like you to oversee this division. The compensation package will be more than satisfactory.”
Tang Song’s sharp gaze locked onto Liu Mingchang, waiting for his response.
He had already conducted a background check through Bocai Yingrui, which confirmed Liu’s clean record and suitability for the role.
Liu Mingchang hesitated, biting his lip.
His wallpaper renovation business was modest—while he was technically a boss, he was still hands-on with construction work, essentially running a small contracting team under larger renovation companies.
So when Tang Song called him this morning, he didn’t outright reject the offer but instead proposed an in-person discussion.
The live-streaming e-commerce sector, represented by Songmei Fashion, was one of the hottest industries, making the offer tempting.
But there were risks. At 30, Liu Mingchang had to think about marriage, children, and supporting his parents. Giving up his hard-earned business to work for someone else left him apprehensive.
“Tap, tap, tap.”
Tang Song lightly drummed his slender fingers on the solid wood table, smiling. “Brother Liu, since you’re in the renovation business, you must know Yunxi Tower well, right?”
“Yes,” Liu replied.
“Well, this floor, including the 1,810-square-meter office space under renovation, belongs to me.”
Liu Mingchang’s heart skipped a beat. He stood up abruptly, his face flushed. “President Tang, give me one week to wrap up my affairs!”