novelraw Chapter 218: Bewitching Xiaoxue
Chapter 218: Bewitching Xiaoxue
"Enough, let me go!" Wen Ruan gave Tang Song a playful shove against his chest.
Tang Song, still holding her slender waist, grinned mischievously at the older woman standing so close to him. "You came all the way here to find me, and now you want to leave so soon?"
Wen Ruan rolled her eyes, feigning sternness. "You calling me that is incredibly disrespectful! And how am I ‘sturdy’? They’re just jealous of my figure, so they gave me that nickname!"
Tang Song leaned into her ear, his voice low and magnetic, as his hands teasingly squeezed her waist. "Ruan Ruan."
“Ah!” Wen Ruan shivered instantly, goosebumps rising on her skin.
Looking at Tang Song’s handsome face, she bit her lip and retorted, “Call me sister!”
A faint blush spread across her cheeks. Being addressed in such a tone by this "younger brother" was simply too much to handle.
Tang Song chuckled softly, planting a kiss on her eyelid. Then he took her hand and started walking toward the pedestrian street. "Perfect timing, I haven’t had dinner yet. Come eat with me."
Wen Ruan let herself be led along the sidewalk outside the residential complex.
Feeling the strength of his long, steady fingers and admiring his defined profile—his straight nose and firm lips—her heartbeat refused to calm down.The evening sun cast a warm glow from behind, stretching their shadows out far on the pavement. A gentle breeze swept past, adding a soft romantic charm to the moment.
After a while of walking, Tang Song stopped suddenly, his face lighting up with a brilliant smile. "This Hunan restaurant is great, and I know you like spicy food."
"Alright," Wen Ruan replied, holding down the hem of her skirt as the breeze caught it. Yet, her gaze lingered on him.
The two climbed to the second floor of the restaurant and chose a window seat.
They ordered stir-fried chili pork, chopped pepper fish head, spicy steamed dishes, and two servings of rice.
While waiting for the food, Tang Song poured Wen Ruan a cup of hot water and set it before her. He asked about her recent work and life.
Hearing his roundabout phrasing, Wen Ruan couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Don’t worry. My parents have stopped pressuring me and aren’t trying to set me up on blind dates anymore.”
Seeing her gentle, smiling face, Tang Song finally felt at ease.
The last time they’d parted, Wen Ruan had left a deep impression on him—her emotions had been complex, conflicted, and filled with sadness.
But now, she seemed to have regained her composure. As Hu Mingli had said, Wen Ruan’s personality was carefree and magnanimous. She wasn’t the type to stew in anger by herself.
Tang Song could imagine that being with her would make arguments nearly impossible.
The food arrived quickly.
The dishes were fragrant and flavorful, spicy and savory, an absolute treat.
As they ate, they chatted about fitness, work, and various lighthearted topics, enjoying the sizzling warmth of the freshly made dishes.
Sunlight poured through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over them.
They resembled a pair of ordinary young lovers, enjoying a casual dinner after work to brighten their day.
Wen Ruan’s gaze occasionally drifted off, her eyes fixed on him.
The orange hues of the setting sun, the faint twinkling of stars in the evening sky, and his gentle, handsome demeanor filled her vision.
If only we were just an ordinary couple, she thought wistfully. Chapters first released on novel·fire.net
I’d cook his favorite meals, listen to him vent about his troubles, play games with him to relax, and snuggle up in bed as we planned our weekend getaways.
We’d discuss where to buy a house, think about which songs to play at our wedding, and pick out the perfect dress for the ceremony.
Lost in these fantasies, her eyes grew misty with unshed tears.
By the time they finished their meal, night had fallen completely. The streetlights emitted a warm golden glow.
They wandered hand-in-hand along the bustling streets, chatting and laughing as they walked.
Occasionally, they’d stop to enjoy a scenic spot, pop into a small shop, or pick up steaming snacks from a roadside stall.
Time drifted by like a gentle evening breeze, and before they knew it, it was almost 10 PM.
Suddenly, Wen Ruan stopped in her tracks, her gaze fixed intently on Tang Song.
He tilted his head slightly, leaning down to meet her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she stepped forward, pinning him against a lamppost, and rose on her tiptoes to kiss him.
Her fiery lips were bold and unrestrained, expressing her passionate desire to claim him entirely.
Tang Song wrapped his arms around her waist and began responding in kind.
Outside the south gate of Yanjing Tiancheng, by the parking spots, Wen Ruan handed Tang Song a gift bag.
"Here, take this, little brother," she said playfully.
“This is for me?” Tang Song accepted it with surprise. Earlier, he’d noticed her carrying the bag everywhere—even to the restroom—and assumed it held her personal belongings.
“Yeah,” she replied.
“Thanks, Zhuangzhuang. What’s inside?” Tang Song asked, lifting the bag curiously.
Wen Ruan gave his arm a gentle squeeze and quipped, “A holy grail of cups, complete with all sorts of functions. You’ll be having a blast tonight—just don’t forget to record a video and send it to me.”
Tang Song’s eye twitched as he pulled out a sleek white gift box.
Seeing the familiar logo on top, he murmured, “Armani.”
Opening the box revealed a black leather wallet with a lychee-texture finish and an elegant keychain. The design was both stylish and understated.
“It’s nothing fancy,” Wen Ruan said nonchalantly. “I bought it a while back and always planned to give it to you, but I never got around to it.”
This was a gift she’d chosen shortly after Tang Song had given her the LV bag at the gym. At the time, she had fully intended to pursue him as a romantic partner and future boyfriend.
However, their team-building outing soon after had derailed those plans completely. Now, this felt like finally setting things back on course.
“Thank you, I really like it,” Tang Song said as his slender fingers opened the wallet.
Inside the photo slot was a picture of him.
In the image, Tang Song stood in a fine drizzle, head slightly bowed as he held an umbrella in one hand and a bouquet of blooming tulips in the other. Draped over his arm was a dark suit jacket, and in the background was his silver Mercedes S450L.
Seeing the picture, Wen Ruan’s breathing quickened.
She reached out, gently closed the wallet, and pinched his cheek. “Dinner, shopping, and now a gift—does this count as our first official date?”
Tang Song paused for a moment, then realized she was right.
Though they had known each other for a long time, this was indeed their first proper “date.”
“Thank you for the gift, Sister. I’ll make sure to get you something in return soon—a surprise that will blow you away.”
The villa at Shengyuan Jiajing was spacious, but since it was a second-hand purchase, it needed significant sprucing up before it could be move-in ready. Tang Song planned to renovate it carefully, turning it into a dream home complete with a gym, media room, and a cozy bedroom.
He had already gathered inspiration from Wen Ruan’s current and past living spaces, with some help from Hu Mingli and Zhang Ziqi.
When he finally unveiled the villa—perfectly tailored to her tastes—it would undoubtedly leave her stunned and, more importantly, make her feel at ease.
Wen Ruan blinked, a playful glint in her eyes. “Alright, I’ll be waiting.”
She opened the driver’s side door of her BMW 330, the lights flashing as it unlocked.
Sliding into the seat gracefully, she lowered the window and waved. “Bye-bye. I need to head back and rest—work tomorrow.”
Tang Song suddenly called out, “What if you didn’t have to work anymore?”
“Pfft!” Wen Ruan leaned forward onto the steering wheel, laughing heartily.
After a moment, she looked at Tang Song, her eyes sparkling. “Give me your hand.”
Tang Song obediently extended his hand through the car window.
Wen Ruan licked her lips, then grabbed his hand firmly.
The next moment, Tang Song felt her press his hand against her chest—a warm, encompassing gesture that left no doubt about her charms.
“Alright, I’m really leaving now,” she said, releasing his hand with a grin. “Bye-bye.”
“Bye-bye,” Tang Song replied, watching as the car slowly pulled onto the main road.
Through the rearview mirror, Wen Ruan could see Tang Song standing by the curb, waving at her.
She bit her lip, her vision growing blurry even though there was no rain.
That morning, she’d woken up to find her period had arrived, and memories of May 13th’s team-building event flooded back to her:
Tang Song walking toward her through the rain, his jacket draped over her shoulders, the painkillers and heat patches he had given her still warm with his touch.
Her emotions surged uncontrollably, pushing her to rush to her Oasis Jingyuan home and retrieve the long-prepared gift.
It wasn’t just about completing something she had always wanted to do. She genuinely missed him. She missed seeing him, kissing him, holding him, and spending time with him.
“I really can’t escape this,” Wen Ruan sighed, turning on the car’s music player.
The BMW’s 16 Harman Kardon speakers came alive with a dynamic, pulsing rhythm, drowning her thoughts in the music as the night enveloped her.
The city lights shimmered brilliantly, with neon glows dancing off the rippling surface of the Huangpu River. High-rise buildings dotted the skyline like dazzling jewels embedded in the night sky.
By the floor-to-ceiling windows of her hotel suite, Lin Muxue, wrapped in a white bathrobe with her damp hair cascading down, typed away on her phone.
In the “Socialite Group” chat:
[Xiaoxue]:
“Dior Classic Chain Bag. Bought it last year at Hangzhou MixC for 22,000 yuan, selling now for 15,000 yuan. Well-maintained with only normal usage marks, comes with original packaging and receipt.”
[Xiaoxue]:(Photo 1.jpg, Photo 2.jpg...)
This was her third resale post. Earlier, she had listed a Chanel bag and a luxury watch.
Thankfully, she had taken good care of these items, ensuring they could still fetch decent prices. If all went smoothly, she could recover 40,000 yuan.
To maintain her lifestyle and appearances, she had no choice but to part with her prized possessions.
Though reluctant, Lin Muxue knew it was necessary. With the high-end goods Tang Song had recently gifted her, as well as her newly acquired Hermès bags, letting go of these older items didn’t feel like a major loss.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Her phone vibrated continuously with new messages.
[@Xiaoxue]:
"Isn’t this your favorite Miss Caro? You’re even selling that?"
["Pfft, obviously broke. Staying at Bulgari for over 10k a night—Xiaoxue, your flexing is way over the top. And that Hermès Birkin? Bet it’s a knockoff."]
["A black-and-silver Birkin 30 goes for at least 160k at resale shops. No way Xiaoxue could afford it."]
["Exactly. Post your stuff on WeChat or Douyin if you want, but we all know each other in this group. Why bother pretending?"]
["Some people lie so much, they start believing themselves!"]
Reading the venomous comments, Lin Muxue sneered.
She typed her reply confidently:
“I’ll be staying at Bulgari in Shanghai for a few days. Feel free to visit me anytime.”
She then picked up her Hermès bag and placed it against the floor-to-ceiling window, with the vibrant Bund skyline as the backdrop. Taking a video, she shared it in the group chat.
The exquisite, sophisticated Birkin 30 paired with the glamorous city view exuded an aura of perfection.
Feeling a surge of satisfaction, Lin Muxue’s heart raced. She gently rubbed her legs together, savoring the moment.
Right now, with Zhao Yaqian by her side, she was living the life of a true white-collar beauty.
Top-tier suites, chauffeur-driven luxury cars, designer wardrobes, and invitations to Hermès private events and a film festival opening night.
The jealous nobodies in the group were nothing but background noise.
Their petty jabs couldn’t touch her.
Fresh from her shower, Zhao Yaqian approached and leaned against Lin Muxue, holding a thick brochure.
She wrapped her arm around Lin Muxue’s and said, “Xiaoxue, I heard the spa treatments at Bulgari are incredible. The reviews sound amazing. Should we book a session and have a good night’s rest after?”
As a beautician by profession, Zhao Yaqian had immediately noticed the premium services the hotel offered. She had never experienced such high-end treatments before and was eager to try them, hoping they might give her skin a more radiant glow—a little surprise for Tang Song.
Lin Muxue took the brochure and flipped through it, her heart sinking as she saw the prices.
【La Mer Revitalizing Facial: 90 minutes, 4,680 yuan】
【La Mer Intensive Treatment: 180 minutes, 5,860 yuan】
Zhao Yaqian pointed at a section. “We can do the couples’ package—it’s a better deal. After such a tiring day, we could use some relaxation.”
Lin Muxue followed her finger.
【LULUR Couples’ Treatment: 180 minutes, 9,698 yuan】
“Uh…” Lin Muxue forced a smile. “I’ve had a lot of treatments recently, and, well, too much can be a bad thing. You go ahead without me.”
It was true—they had spent the entire day exploring Shanghai, and both were exhausted. But while Zhao Yaqian had been on a shopping spree, buying accessories and clothes, Lin Muxue had only offered advice.
A luxurious two-hour full-body spa would have been the perfect way to unwind. Unfortunately, she was completely broke.
After purchasing Zhao Yaqian’s Birkin 30, her finances were in shambles.
She was already selling off her treasured possessions just to stay afloat. Splurging on such an extravagant service was out of the question.
“Alright, I’ll go by myself then,” Zhao Yaqian said, a little disappointed but understanding.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
New messages lit up Lin Muxue’s phone screen:
[@Xiaoxue]:
"We’re hanging out at Bar Rouge tonight. Come show off your luxury goods!"
[Zichu]:
"It’s Lady’s Night at the bar—wasn’t that always your favorite kind of event? Join us!"
[Weiwei]:
"Aren’t you already at Bulgari? You’re closer than any of us. Let’s meet at 10 by the entrance!"
Seeing the group chat messages, Lin Muxue’s eyes lit up.
Bar Rouge was one of the most famous bars in Shanghai, located atop the iconic Bund 18 building. She had been there a few times before and loved the environment, especially the outdoor terrace with its breathtaking night views.
Every Thursday was Lady’s Night at the bar. After 9 PM, women were granted free entry along with complimentary cocktails.
It wasn’t just a chance to save money—it was the perfect opportunity to silence her doubters.
Licking her lips, Lin Muxue quickly typed a reply:
"Alright, I was going to do a Bulgari spa session with my bestie, but I haven’t been to a bar in ages. Let’s have some fun tonight."
She glanced at the clock—9:20 PM.
After informing Zhao Yaqian, Lin Muxue stepped into the walk-in closet to pick her outfit.
She started with underwear and base layers, slipped into a black LV cocktail dress, and sat down at her glamorous vanity to do her makeup and select jewelry.
About thirty minutes later, she stood up, put on her Valentino heels, and admired her reflection in the full-length mirror.
Big, expressive eyes. A high, straight nose. Perfectly shaped brows. A sharp chin.
Her snow-white skin, flawless beauty, and long legs elevated her far above the typical “enhanced beauties” who relied on plastic surgery and heavy makeup.
Tonight, she exuded unshakable confidence—an unmatched aura that made her feel unstoppable.
Satisfied, she checked the group chat one last time before stepping into the living room.
Wrapping her arms around Zhao Yaqian’s shoulders from behind, she said sweetly, “Darling, I’m heading out to meet some friends. Could I trouble your driver to drop me off?”
Zhao Yaqian, munching on snacks and watching a variety show, turned to her with a warm smile. “Of course! I’ll call right now.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
After a quick phone call, Zhao Yaqian hung up and made a gesture toward Lin Muxue. Her tone turned playful as she said, “Xiaoxue, the car’s waiting at the B1 elevator exit. It’s late, so please be safe out there. If anything happens, call the driver right away.”
“Mua~ Love you, Qianqian!” Lin Muxue planted a kiss on her friend’s cheek, feeling deeply moved.
Despite their short time knowing each other, her bond with Zhao Yaqian had grown incredibly strong. Lin Muxue knew her charm and deliberate effort to build this friendship had played a role, but it was clear that Zhao Yaqian had truly opened her heart to her.
Qianqian, didn’t you say you’re no match for Tang Song? Don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll help you deal with him!
I’ll handle his mouth and hands—then you can ride him boldly and confidently. Once we’ve drained him dry, he won’t have the energy for any other foxes out there!
The thought made her cheeks flush as her mind briefly wandered.
Snapping back to reality, she grabbed her Hermès Birkin, humming a tune as she swayed her hips and stepped out in her high heels.
“Good evening, Miss Lin!” A passing hotel attendant quickly bowed and greeted her in the hallway.
By the time she reached the elevator, the doors opened with a ding. A tall, handsome male staff member inside greeted her with a polite nod. “Miss Lin!”
Tilting her head slightly, she acknowledged him with a faint smile and stepped inside.
Over the course of her stay, the hotel’s service had thoroughly impressed her. Every staff member she encountered—even the cleaning crew—addressed her by name. Elevators were always called ahead of time to ensure no delay.
Upon reaching the B1 level, the elevator doors slid open to reveal a Maybach S680 parked with its hazard lights on.
The driver, a stern-looking man in a tailored black suit, stood silently by the car.
“Click.” The rear door opened gently, and the driver bowed slightly. “Miss Lin, please.”
Lin Muxue adjusted her dress and gracefully slid into the luxurious back seat.
“The Bund 18.”
“Understood, Miss Lin.”
As the car smoothly exited the parking garage, the dazzling nightlife of Shanghai’s Bund unfolded before her eyes.
Holding her Hermès Birkin tightly, Lin Muxue leaned slightly against the door, her eyes drinking in the view.
The quiet luxury of the Maybach enveloped her, contrasting beautifully with the bustling streets, streams of traffic, and towering skyscrapers outside.
The sheer grandeur of the moment overwhelmed her.
Tang Song, Tang Song! she thought, her heart aching with desire. You have no idea how much I love you! What do I have to do to earn your love in return?
Lin Muxue’s social circle was limited—truly wealthy men were rare, and exceptional ones even rarer.
Tang Song’s appearance in her life felt like a divine intervention, a golden dragon cutting through the night sky, outshining even the moon itself.
He had become her everything.