novelraw Chapter 213: Tang Song in the Mirror
Chapter 213: Tang Song in the Mirror
The early June evening carried a faint sultriness as the white Wuling Hongguang ambled along quietly.
Inside the car, a peaceful silence settled.
Little Jing gazed out the window, admiring the twinkling city lights and neon signs. After a moment, she pulled the window back up and began recounting her three-day trip to Spring City.
She mentioned staying at a villa owned by her aunt, situated next to the provincial museum with an excellent environment. She talked about visiting the Stone Forest, the Flower Market, and the Grand View Pavilion.
As she described the vibrant skies, colorful landscapes of the Stone Forest, local customs, unique snacks, and the region’s cultural richness, Tang Song listened attentively, occasionally asking for details.
Once she finished talking about her travels, Little Jing began singing softly in her sweet voice:
"You accompanied me into the cicada-filled summer, crossing the city's clamor. Your eyes like pomegranate blossoms still linger in the melody..."
As she sang, she smiled at Tang Song, her crossed legs lightly bouncing, causing her whole body to sway gently.
This song held a special place in her heart—it was the one they had sung together on their first date.
She still remembered that night vividly: the open-air barbecue, the evening breeze, the guitar, and the boy...That was when she first felt a small spark of affection for him, which eventually led to further interactions.
Initially, all she wanted was to have her palm read and take a few photos for keepsakes.
Thinking about it now, she raised her phone and snapped a photo of Tang Song as he drove.
“Click—” The shutter sound seemed unusually loud.
Little Jing giggled and teased, “You know, on the day you resigned, I was secretly taking pictures of you in the office. Hehe.”
Now that their relationship had grown this close, she had no reservations about admitting it.
After speaking, she flashed a playful "V" gesture, placing her soft white hand next to her sweetly smiling face. Her twin ponytails bounced with her movement, making her utterly adorable.
Taking advantage of a moment as he shifted gears, Tang Song reached over and gave her soft cheek a gentle pinch.
Little Jing turned her head and, without warning, playfully bit his finger, closing her eyes as though savoring some delicious treat.
After a few moments, Tang Song pulled his hand back and focused on driving.
The Wuling Hongguang S, being a manual transmission, did require a bit of effort to operate.
Eventually, the car slowed to a stop outside the south gate of the Yanjing Huating residential complex.
The two walked along the cobblestone paths for a while until they reached Building 1.
Little Jing said something softly and then entered the lobby.
While waiting, Tang Song glanced at the surrounding community environment and was reminded of his beautician friend.
For some reason, a vague sense of guilt crept over him.
Although she had been busy recently with driving lessons, redecorating her place, and preparing for a trip to Shanghai, he realized he hadn’t been attentive enough to her.
As a boyfriend, he felt he was falling short.
Remembering that she was leaving for Shanghai tomorrow, Tang Song sighed and decided to give her a surprise visit later. Maintaining and nurturing relationships was his responsibility.
Lost in his thoughts, he was brought back to reality by the sound of tires rolling over the pavement.
“Grrr, grrr—”
Wearing sandals, Little Jing emerged from the lobby, carrying a suitcase. It was a compact 18-inch case in a refreshing mint-green color, adorned with some anime stickers. It looked delicate and beautiful.
She stood before Tang Song, handing him the handle of the suitcase with a sweet smile. “Tang, this is a gift I brought back for you from Spring City. Inside are tea leaves, flower pastries, embroidery, wood carvings, and mushrooms…”
Tang Song took the suitcase from her, sincerity in his tone as he said, “Thank you, Little Jing. Next time, I’ll prepare a gift for you.”
Today, Little Jing once again left a strong impression on him. Her gestures were so genuine and straightforward that they moved him deeply.
Tang Song truly had a sincere heart as well—though it was fractured into several pieces, each housing different people.
And for Little Jing, his feelings were genuine.
“Yay! I’d be so happy to receive a gift from you!” Little Jing clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Tang Song wrapped his arm around her slender waist and chuckled. “I haven’t told you this yet, but I’ve moved to the Yanjing Tiancheng complex. It’s my own property. Aside from this Wuling Hongguang, I have other cars, and my e-commerce company has already started turning a profit.”
Little Jing blinked, her excitement evident. “So I can visit you more often now?”
“Of course,” he replied with a nod.
The two of them shared a lingering kiss beneath the building.
Tang Song reached out and patted Little Jing’s twin ponytails. “Alright, I’ll head out now. Bye-bye.”
“Mm-hmm, be careful on the road,” Little Jing replied sweetly.
Tang Song picked up the suitcase and took a few steps forward, but when he turned around and saw her still waving at him, he couldn’t help but walk back and hug her again. “Go to bed early, and goodnight.”
Feeling the warmth of his embrace and his familiar scent, Little Jing suddenly tilted her head up and whispered mischievously, “Tang, come with me for a moment. I have something to tell you.”
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed his hand and led him into the lobby, heading straight for the corner fire escape door.
“Creak—” The fire door swung open, leading them into the quiet stairwell.
The motion-sensor lights flickered on, illuminating the silent space. The only sound was Little Jing’s slightly quickened breathing.
“What is it?” Tang Song asked.
Little Jing glanced around cautiously before tugging at the neckline of her white dress, pulling it down slightly.
This revealed a deep, enticing cleavage.
From his angle, he could see much more than he probably should. Her pure and sweet face, glistening collarbone, fair skin, and rounded fullness paired with the alluring scent of her perfume—all radiated irresistible charm.
Little Jing, both nervous and excited, said softly, “No one usually comes here. Do you want to help me check my heart rate? I feel like there’s something wrong with my body.”
Hearing her suggestion, Tang Song’s eyes widened, his breathing quickened.
Wow! His sweet, innocent White Rich Beauty friend sure had a playful side!
Licking his lips, he nodded lightly. “Alright.”
Little Jing’s face turned crimson, as though the flush could seep through her fair skin.
After quite a while.
“That’s enough!” Little Jing lightly pushed against Tang Song’s chest, but her efforts were futile.
Blushing furiously, she muttered softly, “That’s enough. I need to go home now!”
Yiya! (No!)
No way! If this continued, her inner "fangirl" personality would be completely exposed—how embarrassing would that be?
How could this happen? She was supposed to be sweet, innocent Little Jing!
After a bit more time passed, Tang Song finally let her go.
“Well, I’ll head back now,” Little Jing mumbled, bowing slightly. One hand covered her face while the other opened the fire door. She then dashed out quickly.
When Tang Song followed her outside, he caught a glimpse of Little Jing’s flushed face as she disappeared into the elevator.
...
Tang Song parked the Wuling Hongguang S in his designated spot at Yanjing Tiancheng and brought Little Jing’s suitcase up to the 20th floor.
The other items weren’t urgent; he could leave them in the car and deal with them later.
After putting everything away, he glanced at the time—it was exactly 10 PM.
At this hour, Zhao Yaqian was probably done with her evening routine and watching a show in the living room.
Tang Song hurried to his walk-in closet and took out an access card from a drawer—a gift from Zhao Yaqian.
After some thought, he grabbed a Chanel gift bag from the wardrobe and opened the safe, pulling out three gold bars and placing them inside the bag.
These gold bars had been with him for a while, and he figured he could also give a few to Wen Ruan and Little Jing later as small surprises.
Gold, after all, was something no one could dislike.
With everything ready, Tang Song quickly headed downstairs.
Walking toward Yanjing Huating, his eyes glimmered with anticipation.
My dear beautician friend, you’ve worked hard tonight!
...
Following the map, Tang Song arrived at Building 6, Unit 1.
He took the elevator and scanned the access card.
When the button for the 6th floor lit up, his mood grew more cheerful.
This was his first visit to the beautician’s new home, and he was genuinely excited.
Though he often saw the videos and photos she shared on WeChat, they could never compare to seeing the real thing.
“Ding—”
The elevator doors opened slowly, revealing a meticulously decorated entryway bathed in warm yellow light.
The space was both elegant and luxurious.
Soft chaise sofas, storage cabinets, rugs, aromatherapy, and fresh flowers adorned the room.
On both walls hung striking decorations that added an artistic flair.
Tang Song nodded in satisfaction. With Lin Muxue's help, the decor was indeed beautiful.
Standing before the dark-gray armored door, Tang Song hesitated briefly before pulling out his phone to find the beautician’s number and dialing.
She had mentioned before that her cousin was moving in to keep her company. It didn’t feel right to just walk in unannounced so late at night.
After a few rings, the call was finally picked up.
“Hello, Brother Song!” Zhao Yaqian’s excited voice came through the receiver.
A smile tugged at Tang Song’s lips. “What are you up to, Qian Qian?”
“Oh, I’m just getting my things ready for tomorrow’s flight—ID card, power bank, earplugs, and all that. It’s my first time flying, but luckily Xiaoxue will be with me. She knows so much…”
She rambled on for a while before ending with a playful, bashful tone. “Brother Song, were you busy today? I missed you. Tomorrow, how about I bring you breakfast?”
Tang Song took a deep breath, his voice soft and gentle. “I missed you too. I left a gift for you at your doorstep. You can open it and see.”
“Ah!” Zhao Yaqian exclaimed in surprise. “Thank you, Brother Song! I’ll go get it right now!”
A moment later, the sound of hurried footsteps approached the door.
With a click, the dark-gray armored door swung open.
Seeing Tang Song standing right in front of her, Zhao Yaqian let out a cry of delight and threw herself at him.
“Ah! Brother Song! You’re here!”
Her smooth legs wrapped tightly around his waist as she showered his face and neck with kisses.
After some time at the doorway, Zhao Yaqian grabbed Tang Song’s hand and pulled him inside.
She closed the door and slipped on her house slippers. “Brother Song, I’ll get you a glass of warm water,” she said, swaying her hips as she walked toward the corner water dispenser.
Standing in the bright, spacious living room, Tang Song glanced around.
The white fabric sofa was soft and inviting, accented with vibrant throw pillows that gave the space a lively, cozy vibe.
The wooden coffee table was adorned with blooming flowers and eye-catching ornaments.
The modern kitchen boasted sleek white cabinets paired with black marble countertops, fully equipped with high-end appliances.
...
Every corner of the apartment was meticulously arranged, brimming with life and personality.
“Tap, tap, tap—” The sound of slippers on hardwood echoed from the side.
Tang Song turned toward the noise, his eyes widening in disbelief, unsure if he was seeing things correctly.
Emerging from the second bedroom was He Liting, her damp hair still clinging to her head. She wore a tight-fitting camisole and pink loungewear.
As she walked, she lightly patted her face as if applying moisturizer.
“Qian Qian, I’ve been working overtime so much lately that I’ve got dark circles. Can I borrow your Chanel eye cream?”
“Lili?” Tang Song called out in surprise.
“Ah—!”
The familiar voice startled He Liting so much that her entire body froze, and her cry trembled like she’d encountered something unclean.
She stiffly lifted her head, and when she saw Tang Song’s familiar figure, her mind went completely blank.
I’m doomed!
She had been deliberating about whether to confess everything to him, but she hadn’t expected to be caught so soon!
President Tang! Why would you show up unannounced in the middle of the night?
I’m your most loyal employee! You can’t just fire me to keep things quiet about your relationship with Ms. Gao!
Hearing the commotion, Zhao Yaqian quickly ran over, her face flushed as she stepped between them. “Um... Brother Song, this is the cousin I mentioned earlier.”
She then nudged He Liting awkwardly. “Ting Ting, go put on a jacket!”
He Liting’s expression froze as she realized something, then hurriedly covered her face and darted back to her room.
Bang! The door slammed shut behind her.
Leaning against the door, she looked down at her outfit—a thin, breathable tank top and shorts.
“Ah…” Her face turned beet red, the flush creeping all the way to her ears.
Muttering incomprehensibly, her breath grew short and erratic as she crouched down, clutching her head and curling into a ball.
She wished she could dig a hole and bury herself forever.
My reputation is ruined!
That’s Qian Qian’s boyfriend! That’s President Tang! That’s a heartthrob!
I can’t go on living!
...
After a fierce internal struggle, He Liting finally scratched her head and began dressing.
What’s done was done—life had to go on, and she still needed to earn money.
Finally, she had the chance to become a full-fledged streamer and make big money—something she absolutely couldn’t give up.
The most urgent task now was to come clean with President Tang and demonstrate her loyalty.
He Liting put on a loose T-shirt and long pants, swallowed hard, and opened her bedroom door to peek outside.
After confirming that Tang Song was still in the living room, she lowered her head and walked toward him with heavy steps.
Seeing her cousin approach, Zhao Yaqian looked surprised. “Ting Ting! The streaming company you mentioned joining—is it the one Brother Song started?”
“Yes.” He Liting forced a smile. “Qian Qian, could you go tidy up your room for a bit? I need to have a quick word with President Tang.”
Zhao Yaqian opened her mouth to speak but, noticing her cousin’s pleading expression, decided to comply and quietly left the room.
Tang Song, leaning against the back of the sofa with his arms crossed, looked at He Liting with a peculiar expression. “Lili, why didn’t you mention this before?”
He clearly remembered that during a playful moment at the office, He Liting had jokingly hugged him and even shouted, “President Tang, I love you!”
At the time, it didn’t mean much—just a lively young girl being playful. But adding the context of her being Zhao Yaqian’s cousin made the situation feel a bit strange.
“President Tang, it was wrong of me.” He Liting quickly adopted a humble demeanor, cautiously glancing at Tang Song’s expression. “I wanted to prove myself through hard work at the company and earn recognition, without relying on my connection to Qian Qian and putting you in a difficult position.”
“Is that so?” Tang Song raised an eyebrow.
He Liting shrank her neck slightly and nodded. “Yes.”
Of course, the real reason was far more complicated.
Initially, she had inadvertently disrupted the natural progression of Qian Qian’s relationship with Tang Song, causing a rift in her cousin’s love life.
Since then, she had been wracking her brain trying to make amends.
After the two finally made up—Qian Qian even signing a trust agreement and securing a property—He Liting had thought about revealing everything.
But fear held her back—fear that Tang Song, concerned about his relationship with Gao Mengting, might dismiss or transfer her.
Now that the truth was out, all she could do was obediently admit her mistakes and hope for his forgiveness.
Seeing Tang Song remain silent, He Liting nervously licked her dry lips and said in a small voice, “Um… Qian Qian really loves you. She’s incredibly pure and has no interest in petty rivalries.
“As for me, I have the utmost admiration for you, President Tang. I’ll continue working hard as part of the company, being a solid ‘brick’ in its foundation, and I promise not to cause you any trouble.”
Tang Song nodded slightly, his gaze meeting He Liting’s.
He had a good impression of her as a junior assistant streamer at the company.
She was cheerful, enthusiastic, reliable, and proactive. Her attendance and performance data on the office system (OA) were among the best.
Whenever he was in the office, she would take the initiative to bring him coffee or tidy up his workspace.
She was a thoughtful and ambitious young woman.
Her appearance also stood out—sweet and elegant, with a naturally charming figure. The latter had just been made particularly evident.
She was a perfect fit for the streaming industry, which was why he and Gao Mengting had considered promoting her to full-time streamer.
Now, with her connection to Qian Qian, his attitude toward her shifted further.
One of the tasks in Phase Two of the Growth Plan
—Task ② [Build an IP]—required him to “select a loyal and reliable streamer to create a personal brand image that is influential, credible, and capable of attracting traffic.”Douyin’s algorithm favored “people” over products, meaning that streamers with distinctive personal styles were more likely to go viral, bringing massive traffic and sales.
To elevate Songmei Fashion to new heights, cultivating a major IP in the long term was essential.
Previously, he had hesitated between choosing He Liting or Li Qingya, mainly due to the short time he’d known them and the lack of trust.
But now, this issue seemed to resolve itself.
...
Watching Tang Song’s silence, He Liting felt a storm of anxiety swirling in her chest.
No way, no way! Handsome, generous, and charming President Tang! I’m your loyal underling! You can’t kick me out of the company!
The rustling sound of movement broke the silence as Tang Song stepped forward, stopping directly in front of her.
He Liting looked up at his strikingly handsome face so close to hers, her heart pounding with unease.
At 165 cm tall, the angle at which she had to look up gave him an imposing presence.
“Tap, tap~” Tang Song gently patted her slim shoulders, his face breaking into a radiant smile.
His tone was filled with encouragement as he said, “Very good, Lili. You know I’ve always thought highly of you.”
“Mm-hmm, thank you for your approval, President Tang!” He Liting nodded quickly, her expression lighting up with relief.
“Starting this month, you’re officially a full-time employee. Submit a formalization request on the OA system tomorrow, and I’ll have HR process it immediately.”
He Liting blinked in surprise before her face lit up with joy. “Thank you, President Tang!!”
I passed the test! And not only that, I got a huge perk—I’d be the company’s third official employee!
“Let’s sit and talk,” Tang Song said, gesturing toward the living room sofa.
He Liting quickly lowered her head and followed with small, tentative steps.
The two sat down on the sofa.
Tang Song carefully chose his words. “Lili, I care a lot about your career development. What are your thoughts and plans for your future?”
Hearing this, He Liting bit her lower lip hard, her excitement bubbling up. “Yes! I have some ideas!”
She then began explaining her self-assessment, personal branding, skill development, and account management strategies.
As someone ambitious and determined to make big money, He Liting had thought about her career trajectory countless times. She spoke with clarity and confidence.
After about ten minutes, she licked her dry lips and looked at Tang Song expectantly.
“Very impressive!” Tang Song said approvingly, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Lili, I think you have great potential! The company is undergoing significant changes, and you’ll soon have a streaming room of your own.
“As long as your performance meets expectations, I’ll invest heavily in you—money, resources, everything—to create your personal IP and make you a core part of the company.”
“Ah!” He Liting’s body went limp, and a flush of excitement spread across her face.
Her lips trembled as she struggled to find words.
Tang Song had great faith in her? A personal streaming room? Building her own IP? Becoming the core of the company?
She had waited so long—so very long—for this moment!
Was this what it felt like to be the focus of attention from a dominant CEO?
It was unbelievable!
She gazed at the young, handsome president sitting before her, her heart overflowing with gratitude and admiration.
My mentor! Whatever you say goes! I’ll do anything you ask!
Opening her mouth, she managed to stammer, “Thank you, President Tang.” The source of this content ɪs novel•fire.net
“When we’re not at work, just call me by my name—you’re Qian Qian’s cousin, after all.” Tang Song stood up. “It’s getting late; you should get some rest. We’ll discuss work more in detail later.”
As Tang Song was about to leave, He Liting’s thoughts raced uncontrollably. Before she could stop herself, she hugged his long legs tightly.
“President Tang… I-I’ll work hard and never let you down!”
Realizing what she’d done, her face turned beet red. She quickly released her grip and stammered, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry—it was just a moment of excitement!”
Tang Song chuckled and patted her shoulder again before heading toward the master bedroom.
When he opened the bedroom door, he was immediately struck by the refined and elegant decor.
But he didn’t have much time to take it all in—his attention was captured by the beautician standing before him.
She was dressed in an open-front lace outfit, adorned with intricate, alluring black patterns that covered her chest and midsection.
The design left just enough to the imagination.
“How do I look, Brother Song?” she asked, rising onto her tiptoes and walking toward him with model-like grace. She gave a playful twirl.
Her C-cup figure, curvaceous legs, and smooth lines combined with her perfect proportions and stunning facial features exuded an unparalleled allure.
“Beautiful—and useful!” Tang Song took a deep breath, feeling his inner fire ignite.
Then, the room was filled with all kinds of lively sounds.
“Haha! Brother Song, stop! You’re cheating at this game—it tickles!”
“No, no! This is dangerous right now!”
...
Meanwhile, He Liting, who had finally calmed herself and approached the bedroom door, froze in place.
Her expression shifted instantly as she leaned closer to the master bedroom, pressing her ear against the door. Her mouth slowly fell open as she listened.
More than an hour later...
Tang Song carried Zhao Yaqian to the bathroom for a quick rinse.
After drying off, he embraced her from behind, wrapping her in a soft summer blanket. Gradually, his eyes began to close.
In the twilight between wakefulness and sleep, the system interface unfolded before him.
[The special item “Mirror of the Self” has been activated. The dream sequence is about to begin.]
[Carefully observe yourself. In this dream, you will gain a unique third-person perspective, allowing you to better analyze “Tang Song.”]