novelraw Chapter 226: Simulation Instance Creation Card
Chapter 226: Simulation Instance Creation Card
The night shrouded Imperial East Road, like a thin veil gently descending.
The streetlights sparkled like molten gold, exuding a dreamy haze.
Everything in sight seemed to be bathed in a retro filter, giving every brick, every shop window, and every passerby a weathered charm.
Xiao Xue, dressed in a black evening gown, her makeup exquisite, lips vivid red, and wavy long hair cascading, leaned against the terrace railing. She exuded an old-world allure reminiscent of a classic Shanghai beauty.
Beside and behind her stood several young men and women, poised and confident, socially active, and seemingly in pursuit of a refined lifestyle.
The scene brought back memories for Tang Song of the first time he saw her.
Back then, he had merely thought she was beautiful, and that was what made him notice her peculiar behavior.
Running into her here didn’t come as much of a surprise—after all, this spot was only a kilometer away from the Bulgari Hotel.
The only slightly irksome part was her overly social behavior, which might attract unwelcome attention.
Like from Xu An.“That gorgeous lady is totally looking at us. No, wait—she’s looking at you!“ Li Zhixi nudged him with his shoulder, whispering excitedly, “Brother Song, how about going over to ask for her WeChat? I feel like you’ve got a shot. Just try it! If you fail, I promise I won’t laugh at you.”
Li Zhixi dared to egg Tang Song on not just because this guy was genuinely handsome now, but also because Qiu Yu had mentioned that Tang Song was doing incredibly well. He had a lot of clout with Huashang Fushi and had even casually mentioned at dinner his connection with Songmei Fashion—proof his business was thriving and collaborating with big names.
Hearing Li Zhixi’s suggestion, Tang Song chuckled lightly. “Why doesn’t she come over and ask me for my WeChat? When will us guys finally stand up for ourselves? Tragic!”
“D**n, you really don’t get it! Bagging such a goddess would be the ultimate bragging right.” Li Zhixi sneaked another glance toward the terrace. “She’s still looking at you. Bro, this is your moment!”
Admittedly, the woman was gorgeous and sophisticated. Her glamorous style gave her the appearance of a striking second lead in a K-drama, with sharp, captivating features.
Compared to her, Qiu Yu or Zhang Xi seemed utterly plain.
Their company also had a few high-quality women, exuding vibes of being cultured, aloof, elegant, and sexy.
Although not as stunning, their aura felt somewhat similar.
But women like this were entirely out of his realm of interest—they clearly walked a different path in life.
「♪BGM: Regret seeps into my heart, wiping away the last tear. From now on, I’ll never cry for anyone again…」
The music in the bar gradually quieted.
“Xiao Xue, Xiao Xue.” Ah Xing grinned, asking, “What song do you want to hear next? I can tell the staff.”
“Ah—” Lin Muxue shuddered, her drunkenness evaporating in an instant. She instinctively scooted away from Ah Xing, putting more distance between them.
A thin layer of sweat formed on her forehead. She clutched her wine glass tightly, too uneasy to respond.
“What’s wrong, Muxue?” Wang Mei, standing behind her, asked with concern.
The others also turned to look curiously.
“Nothing.” Lin Muxue took a deep breath, facing Tang Song’s direction, forcing a strained smile.
Her mind raced.
He’s in Shanghai? A nighttime surprise? A nighttime surprise!
This is the surprise meant for Qianqian? This…
In Lin Muxue’s mind, she always thought Tang Song had a good impression of her.
She saw herself as the standard elegant and independent woman: working at a financial firm, beautiful, and fashionable.
After he had initially brushed off her attempt to exchange WeChat contacts, she had worked hard to bridge the gap between them, gaining some confidence in her next steps.
But now, seeing him suddenly here, catching her drinking with other men, would he misunderstand?
Heaven knows, I, Xiao Xue, have always kept my reputation spotless! I only came out tonight to put some old college classmates in their place. These two guys just tagged along—I barely even know them!
Li Xinyi and Cao Jingsi, who knew her well, quickly picked up on her odd behavior.
Following her gaze downward, they spotted two figures standing there.
Under the dim streetlights, Tang Song was dressed simply in a T-shirt, jeans, and black-rimmed glasses, with a backpack slung over his shoulders. He looked every bit like a college student.
Yet, his demeanor carried a refined and mature elegance.
Especially here, on the vintage streets of Shanghai, his charm stood out.
As for the big-eyed, thick-browed Li Zhixi standing to his left, the women instinctively ignored him.
Xu An raised his delicate brows slightly, murmuring, “Tang Song?”
At the mention of that name, Lin Muxue’s face changed again.
How does Xu An know Tang Song?
Wang Mei asked curiously, “Xu An, do you know that handsome guy?”
“Ha, just met him once.” Xu An stepped closer to Lin Muxue, speaking softly. “Xiao Xue, do you know him?”
This man, with his slight connection to Qiu Qiu, had left a deep impression on him.
Especially today, after hearing Qiu Qiu mention that they had attended the film festival to cheer for Su Yu together.
Xu An immediately understood Tang Song’s intentions—trying to use Su Yu as a topic to woo girls.
In fact, back in high school, Xu An had leveraged his “Su Yu superfan” persona to become close to Cheng Qiuqiu.
Now that she was in Shanghai, he had made an effort to entertain her and strengthen their bond.
Yet, Qiu Qiu remained icy and distant. She might have claimed she was focused on academics back in high school, but her current indifference felt off.
Was it frigidity? Even faced with a talented and handsome rising star like him, she seemed utterly unmoved.
Lin Muxue’s lips twitched. Just as she was about to say something, she noticed Tang Song downstairs looking away, as if preparing to leave.
Her heart skipped a beat. She immediately placed her glass on the edge of the terrace and called out loudly, “Tang Song! Wait a moment!”
Her voice floated through the street, drawing quite a bit of attention.
It succeeded in making Tang Song look back.
Lin Muxue didn’t care about the spectacle. After saying a quick “catch you later” to her companions, she clutched her beloved Hermès bag and strode toward the bar’s exit.
Her steps quickened, the sound of her heels clicking with determined urgency.
Li Zhixi’s eye twitched. "Did I just hear her call your name? Am I imagining things?"
Tang Song nodded casually. "You’re not. She was calling me—we know each other."
"Holy sh*t!" Li Zhixi clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Unbelievable! So low-key, and yet you know such a top-tier beauty. Brother Song, be honest with me: did you come to Shanghai just to chase her?"
"I get it now! No wonder I sent you a list of restaurants, and you picked this one. It’s all for her, isn’t it?"
"But to be fair, you were already awesome in college, got into a big company after graduation, and now you’ve started your own business. Of course, you’d have connections with exceptional women."
"Go for it! If you can win her over, you’d be the ultimate legend!"
He rambled on, processing his shock, but couldn’t stop sneaking glances toward the entrance of Shami Building.
Soon, a seductive and graceful figure appeared.
Her face was tense, and even across the street, her gaze locked directly onto Tang Song.
She didn’t bother walking to the crosswalk but waited for a break in traffic and jogged across the road.
As she approached, Li Zhixi instinctively averted his gaze, feeling too intimidated to look at her directly.
“Click, click, click—” Lin Muxue’s footsteps slowed as she neared, stopping right in front of Tang Song.
She forced a smile. "Tang Song, what a coincidence! I didn’t expect to see you here."
"Good evening, Xiao Xue." Tang Song nodded and smiled, his eyes briefly scanning her.
Her black evening dress revealed long, slender legs wrapped in stockings—straight and smooth, rivaling the models he’d seen online.
The exposed patches of skin looked snow-white and flawless under the night lights.
With her arms hanging at her sides and her lips tightly pressed together, she cautiously met Tang Song’s gaze. His eyes were still warm and clear, with no trace of negative emotion.
After some thought, she gently tucked her hair behind her ear and softly explained, "I came out tonight for a reunion with some old college friends, just to have a few drinks and catch up."
She couldn’t stop thinking about the gift Qianqian mentioned earlier. She had planned to flaunt and leave, but fate had other ideas, with Tang Song catching her red-handed.
Tang Song nodded. "Oh, I see. Well, you should get back to your drinks. I’m just walking around with a friend."
Lin Muxue’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly grabbed his arm and whispered, "It’s already past 9. I was just about to head back anyway. Let’s go together."
Tang Song glanced toward the terrace, making eye contact with Xu An and the others. "Your friends are still watching you. You rushed down in such a hurry—shouldn’t you go back and properly say goodbye?"
Lin Muxue’s face turned pale. She glanced back toward the terrace. "I already did. I’m in Shanghai to accompany Qianqian to an event. Running into my old classmates on the plane was purely by chance. As for those two guys, I barely know them and haven’t interacted much."
"Got it. Then let’s walk." Tang Song nodded lightly, then placed a hand on her waist, gently turning her around. Smiling, he introduced, "This is my college roommate, Li Zhixi."
"Zhixi, this is my friend Lin Muxue. You can call her Xiao Xue."
Lin Muxue let out a quiet sigh of relief, her face instantly brightening with a dazzling smile. She greeted warmly, "Hello, Zhixi!"
Then she snuck a glance at Tang Song and leaned into him on her own initiative.
She didn’t know why the situation had turned out like this, but she wasn’t about to let a good opportunity slip through her fingers.
“Gulp—” Li Zhixi swallowed hard, his eyes widening. "H-hello!"
His gaze fell on Tang Song’s hand resting on Xiao Xue’s waist, and suddenly, realization dawned on him.
No way… had Tang Song already secured her?
Were they boyfriend and girlfriend?
Li Zhixi looked up at the graceful and alluring Lin Muxue.
With her high heels, she was nearly the same height as him, and at such close range, her charm was almost overwhelming.
For a moment, his emotions were a tangled mess—a mix of awe at his brother’s success and a little envy that his brother might be living the high life.
On the small terrace, the air suddenly grew still.
Li Xinyi exchanged glances with two college classmates, astonished. “Is that guy Lin Muxue’s boyfriend?”
“He doesn’t look like a rich guy,” Cao Jingsi commented sourly. “He’s just good-looking, but his outfit is super plain.” The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the NoveIꜰire.net
Wang Mei shook her head. “Hard to say. He has great presence—maybe he’s just low-key.”
Earlier on WeChat, they had been gossiping nonstop, speculating that Lin Muxue had snagged some wealthy benefactor.
They even imagined scenarios where he’d turn out to be a “bald, greasy uncle” or “an old man with bad breath.”
But now, seeing her with a tall, handsome man exuding charm, their petty fantasies were shattered.
Meanwhile, Xu An’s gaze fixated on Tang Song’s back, particularly his hand casually wrapped around Lin Muxue’s waist.
His teeth clenched in frustration.
First it was Cheng Qiuqiu, and now it’s Lin Muxue. Does this guy have it out for me or something?
D**n it. One day, I’ll take you on!
Despite his youthful arrogance, Xu An still had enough sense to read the situation.
Lin Muxue wasn’t just anyone, and Tang Song, whom she treated this way, must also have a strong background.
For now, Xu An was only an 18th-tier newbie actor. He’d have to be crazy to provoke them.
No matter how much he wanted to vent his frustration, he would have to wait until he became more powerful.
“This here is one of the highlights of Imperial East Road—Yifeng Bund Source. It was built in 1911, a five-story brick-wood structure...”
After wandering for a bit, the three of them left Imperial East Road and found themselves back near the Bund.
Under the heavy clouds, Lujiazui gleamed brilliantly in the distance.
Tang Song gazed into the distance, breathing in the perfume-laced river breeze, his grip on Lin Muxue’s waist tightening slightly.
Lin Muxue’s smile brightened even more.
Tang Song’s hand had been around her waist the entire time, and he kept smiling as he spoke.
It seemed like the little hiccup earlier hadn’t left an impression on him at all.
Realizing this, Lin Muxue felt light-headed.
She had already drunk a lot at the Hermès show earlier, followed by several glasses of fruit wine at the bar.
After all the walking during their city stroll, the alcohol hit her hard, her cheeks glowing red with intoxication.
Feeling emboldened, she shifted slightly and pressed her chest against Tang Song’s arm.
As she glanced at his well-defined nose and thin lips, her thoughts began to run wild.
(σ≧︎▽︎≦︎)σ Haha~
One day, I’ll pin that handsome face between my thighs and relish the thrill of conquering a heartthrob!
The thought sent a shiver of excitement through her, her body trembling ever so slightly.
The three of them continued to stroll along Bund Road for a while.
Li Zhixi glanced at the two and said, “Brother Song, it’s getting late, so I think I’ll head out. The subway isn’t far from here—are you two grabbing a cab, or do you want to walk to the station with me?”
His office was nearby, but his home was quite far away, making a taxi ride impractical.
Before Tang Song could respond, Lin Muxue’s eyes darted thoughtfully. She quickly said, “Hold on, I’ll call a car for us. Zhixi, don’t you live near Line 14? We’ll drop you off at the station so you don’t have to waste time transferring.”
With that, she called the driver, speaking quietly to confirm the location.
Li Zhixi was momentarily taken aback but didn’t decline. “Thanks, Xiao Xue.”
Outwardly, Lin Muxue maintained her poised demeanor, but inwardly, she felt a surge of delight.
It was rare for her to have a chance to be alone with Tang Song, so she wasn’t about to return to the hotel too soon.
Once back at the Bulgari Hotel, she’d become just another bystander, unable to enjoy the intimate closeness she had now.
Tang Song glanced at his watch—it was already past 10 PM.
Patting Zhixi on the shoulder, he smiled. “I won’t be in Shanghai long this time, but I’ll likely visit often in the future. Let’s catch up more then.”
“OK! Who knows, maybe I’ll swing by Yan City sometime. Then we can get the whole dorm together for drinks.”
The two chatted warmly for a while.
A Bentley with its hazard lights on slowly pulled up nearby.
The car exuded an air of grandeur and power.
Li Zhixi’s brow twitched as he instinctively glanced at Lin Muxue. He licked his dry lips, his mind buzzing.
Holy sht! Holy sht! Are you serious, sister? Your ride is a Bentley?!
A suited driver with a stern expression stepped out from the car’s driver’s seat. “Ms. Lin.”
Lin Muxue nodded gently and opened the front passenger door herself, smiling. “Zhixi, why don’t you take the front seat? I’ll sit in the back with Tang Song.”
Li Zhixi nodded quickly, feeling a little flustered as he climbed in.
The interior smelled of high-end perfume, its luxurious design and soft, premium seats wrapping him in an unreal sensation.
“Click—” The back door closed, and the Bentley Flying Spur eased into motion, heading toward the Line 14 subway station.
As the scenery outside the window blurred past, Li Zhixi’s gaze grew unfocused.
He recalled his early days in Shanghai when he had nearly collided with a similar Bentley while riding a shared bike.
He remembered his heart pounding with fear and the distant, lofty figure sitting inside the car, exuding an indifferent air.
Back then, his feelings had been a mixture of reverence and embarrassment.
He never imagined he’d one day be sitting inside such a car himself.
Glancing into the rearview mirror at Tang Song and Lin Muxue seated in the back, Li Zhixi felt his mind drift.
This situation had developed far beyond anything he could have imagined.
Originally, he thought Xiao Xue was just a stunning beauty with an elegant demeanor, but it turned out she was far more extraordinary.
A Bentley and a personal driver? This was a level he couldn’t even comprehend.
Having a remarkable partner was a clear testament to a man’s charisma and strength.
It was only now that Li Zhixi truly realized that Tang Song, his old college classmate, had indeed risen to greatness.
Even Qiu Yu’s earlier praise about Tang Song’s dealings with Huashang Fushi didn’t seem exaggerated anymore—it all made sense now.
“Bye, Brother Song! Bye, Xiao Xue!”
“Bye.” “Take care.”
They watched Li Zhixi’s figure blend into the subway crowd as the Bentley began to move again, this time heading toward the Bulgari Hotel.
Inside the car, Tang Song leaned back against the seat, surveying the luxurious interior. He commented casually, “Arranged by the trust company?”
“Yes, it’s actually Qianqian’s assigned car. I just borrowed it for tonight since it’s safer.” Lin Muxue shifted in her seat, inching closer to Tang Song.
Once inside the car, Tang Song had removed his hand from her waist. Without it, she felt a strange sense of insecurity.
The chance encounter earlier had shaken her deeply.
If Tang Song misunderstood her lifestyle as chaotic, it would spell disaster.
Having mingled with “socialite groups” for years, she knew far too much about the lives of those women. If Tang Song discovered her involvement, he would undoubtedly think less of her.
That was why she had gone to such lengths to maintain her persona and avoid his suspicions.
To become his woman and secure a trust contract, she needed to be as clean and pristine as possible—just like Qianqian.
Tang Song lightly tapped the armrest’s panel with his fingers before suddenly asking, “Xiao Xue, I saw a group photo you posted on Douyin. You and Xu An—are you two friends?”
His voice was calm and gentle, but Lin Muxue immediately broke into goosebumps, feeling a chill sweep over her.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out. In that moment, it felt as if the sky was collapsing.
The car’s interior grew eerily silent.
After a while, Lin Muxue took several deep breaths, grasped Tang Song’s hand, and stammered, “I’m really not—”
Tang Song raised his hand, his gaze resting on her flawless, delicate face. “Xiao Xue, I think you should be honest.”
Having experienced the unique instance 【Lin Muxue’s Whispers】, Tang Song understood her deeply and could guess her thoughts.
At the end of the day, she was still trying hard to hide and disguise herself around him.
Lin Muxue’s lips quivered, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead. “Well… I did know Xu An before. I met him through friends at a bar. At the time, I thought it was cool he was somewhat of a celebrity, so we took a picture together. But we hardly interacted—just exchanged a few words.”
“There’s no need to explain this to me.” Tang Song looked at her calmly.
Lin Muxue bit her lower lip hard, her eyes welling up with tears. Lowering her head, she muttered incoherently, “I’m… sorry… I shouldn’t have lied to you…”
Her old habit resurfaced—whenever her emotions surged, she would become completely inarticulate, barely making sense even to herself.
Watching her expression and gestures, Tang Song felt he had pressed her enough. Without a word, he casually rested his hand on her nylon-covered thigh.
Lin Muxue’s heart leapt, and she stared at him in a daze.
Tang Song smiled. “Saying sorry won’t help, but letting me touch your leg will. You don’t mind, do you?”
“N-no, I don’t mind.” Lin Muxue pressed her legs together, speaking hurriedly. “As long as you accept my apology, that’s all that matters.”
Her breath carried a faint fruity aroma mixed with alcohol—a surprisingly pleasant scent.
Tang Song glanced out the window at the passing cityscape, feeling the silky smoothness of her tights and the firm texture of her thigh beneath his palm. He was in a rather good mood.
“Shhh!” A system screen unfolded in front of him.
【June 10, 2023: You sit in the back of a Bentley Flying Spur, feeling Lin Muxue’s compliance.】
【By manipulating her emotions and perceptions, you’ve achieved a degree of conquest and transformation. Outside, Shanghai’s vibrant cityscape unfolds like a painting, with towering skyscrapers and dazzling neon lights forming a surreal urban night view.】
【You experience a perspective beyond the ordinary. Emotional Intelligence +1.】
【Your mindset has grown significantly. Charisma +1.】
【You’ve received a "Simulation Instance Creation Card *1".】
“Mm~” Lin Muxue bit her lip, feeling Tang Song’s touch and pressure.
She glanced at his refined profile, her voice low. “I only met Xu An yesterday. Today, he saw my WeChat moments and approached me because I know some executives at Tang Zong Entertainment.”
“Oh?” Tang Song raised a brow, intrigued. “How do you know the executives at Tang Zong Entertainment?”
Lin Muxue lowered her gaze submissively. “One of the reception assistants at Slover Trust is also a leader in Tang Zong Entertainment’s artist management department. She even gave me Mo Xiangwan’s business card.”
Tang Song raised his brows in excitement and praised her. “Well done, Xiao Xue. I have a task for you, but I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow.”
“Oh, okay!” Lin Muxue’s spirits instantly lifted upon hearing Tang Song mention a task.
She knew very well that the tasks Tang Song assigned to Qianqian usually involved trust contracts and receiving properties.
While she understood that wasn’t likely for her, she couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild.
The Bentley Flying Spur smoothly parked in the underground garage of the Bulgari Hotel.
Tang Song first stopped by the front desk to book a suite on the 45th floor. Only after this was settled did he accompany Lin Muxue upstairs.
Tonight promised a heated battle with Qianqian, possibly with some "home court advantage" skirmishes in various corners. It was better to arrange for Xiao Xue to stay in a separate room.
“Beep—” The room door opened quietly.
Lin Muxue watched Tang Song walk inside, licked her lips nervously, but ultimately didn’t follow. Closing the door, she obediently went to the other suite.
She had already upset Tang Song tonight, and now was a time to show tact.
The 120-square-meter suite was grand.
The entrance led through a short hallway into the living room, which featured a dining table by the window and a set of plush sofas with impeccable craftsmanship.
Through the windows was an unobstructed view of the scenic Suzhou Creek.
A sound came from the direction of the bedroom.
Tang Song scanned the suite briefly before striding toward the source of the noise.
There, he found his beauty therapist friend reclining against the headboard, watching TV.
On the pristine white bed, a pair of long, alluring “wine-glass legs” were fully exposed.
The thighs were full yet firm, the calves toned and elastic, and the knees smooth and rounded.
Their perfection was undeniable.