novelraw Chapter 254: Annie Kate
Chapter 254: Annie Kate
The sky had turned completely dark.
Branches swayed, and leaves rustled softly as the wind picked up. The clouds grew thicker and hung lower, heavy with an impending storm.
"Looks like it’s going to rain soon," Yao Lingling said, pulling out her phone. "The forecast says it’ll start in about an hour. Senior, you should head back early, or you’ll get stuck."
Tang Song, who was adjusting his helmet, turned with a smile. "What, you don’t want to test-drive the Ninja 400 anymore?"
"Let’s save it for another day. There’s no rush," Yao Lingling replied, her expression slightly downcast as she watched Tang Song straddle the motorcycle.
Still, her concern for Tang Song’s safety outweighed her own small desires.
With a click, Tang Song lowered his helmet visor and lightly patted her arm. "Come on, hop on!"
"But, Senior... Riding a motorcycle in the rain is really dangerous. It’s better to head home quickly."
"Just a thunderstorm. And if it doesn’t stop raining..." Tang Song turned his head slightly and winked at her. "I’ll just crash here tonight. You wouldn’t mind, would you, junior?"
Yao Lingling’s cheeks flushed. "That... I guess that’d be fine. Jiahong’s room isn’t rented out until next month, and I have a clean spare blanket."If Senior stayed the night... that wouldn’t be so bad.
They could play games together and even exchange ideas about drawing and design.
Carefully climbing onto the motorcycle’s backseat, Yao Lingling gazed at Tang Song’s tall, sturdy frame in front of her, her eyes crinkling into a happy smile as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Her hands immediately encountered the firm contours of his abs.
"I’m ready, Senior. Let’s go!"
With a roar, the engine came to life, and the motorcycle’s headlight pierced the dim surroundings.
Tang Song started smoothly, guiding the bike along the neighborhood’s concrete path and out the gates.
The wind grew stronger, whipping their clothes and adding to the thrill. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novｅlfire.net
Before long, Tang Song felt the warmth radiating from the junior behind him.
Thanks to his [Unlimited Vigor] outfit—its lightweight, soft material and excellent breathability—every sensation was heightened.
Though Yao Lingling appeared ordinary at first glance, upon closer attention, subtle curves and softness were noticeable.
So this is the legendary A-cup, Tang Song mused, noting the gentle rise akin to a small orange, with an approximate 10-centimeter difference between upper and lower measurements.
The bike soon reached a quiet, secluded street flanked by tall sycamore trees. Warm yellow streetlights illuminated the ground, casting a serene glow.
With an agile move, Yao Lingling hopped off the backseat, her enthusiasm bubbling over.
She quickly climbed onto the driver’s seat and gripped the handlebars.
"Use your left hand to grip the clutch lever tightly, press down on the gear shift pedal to put it into first gear, then slowly release the clutch while giving the throttle a gentle twist..."
Standing beside her, Tang Song provided detailed guidance.
Thanks to her year of experience with electric scooters and recent practice with manual motorcycles at home, she adapted quickly.
In just over ten minutes, Yao Lingling was confidently maneuvering the Ninja 400 back and forth along the street, looking quite professional.
Each time she passed by Tang Song, she’d shout cheerfully, clearly enjoying herself.
"Screech—" The sound of brakes echoed as the motorcycle came to a stop beside him.
"Click—" Yao Lingling pushed up her helmet visor, her face beaming with an enthusiastic smile. She waved energetically. "Let’s go, Senior! I think I’ve got the hang of it. Hop on—I’ll take you for a ride around the next street. There’s a stall there that serves amazing grilled cold noodles. My treat!"
Tang Song chuckled and, with an effortless leap, mounted the motorcycle from behind.
"Creak—" The bike dipped slightly under their combined weight, and Tang Song instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Lead the way, Knight!" he said, his voice gentle and soothing, like a soft April breeze.
Yao Lingling felt a surge of warmth envelop her from behind, and her heart began to race.
Technically, this counts as a hug, right? she thought, her cheeks flushing.
Having her senior hold her like this felt oddly intimate, though she tried to dismiss the thought as a byproduct of riding the bike.
She shifted her seat slightly to ease the tension, but her pear-shaped figure made the movement counterproductive. Instead of creating distance, it seemed to increase the friction between them.
She even felt Tang Song tighten his hold slightly.
"Ha, Senior, I’m still a rookie and not totally used to this. Hang on, okay? We’re heading out," she said nervously, her voice shaky. Quickly, she lowered her helmet visor to hide her reddened face.
The multi-dimensional tail lights glowed red, blending the black Ninja 400 seamlessly into the night.
Despite the increasingly gusty wind, Yao Lingling felt an inexplicable sense of tranquility and romance.
For his part, Tang Song’s expression was also a bit unusual.
While Yao Lingling’s figure wasn’t particularly remarkable from the front, her curves at the back—wide hips and thick thighs—definitely left an impression.
Holding her from behind on the occasionally bumpy ride amplified the sensation.
"Boss, one order of grilled cold noodles, sweet and spicy, with two eggs and one sausage. That’s 10 yuan, right? I’ve paid!"
"Got it!"
The flat iron sizzled as the cold noodles crackled in hot oil.
Golden egg batter wrapped around the noodles while minced onions, chopped cilantro, and a special sauce added an enticing aroma.
Soon, the dish was ready and handed to them.
Yao Lingling held the paper bowl in her left hand and expertly skewered a piece of grilled cold noodles with a long stick in her right.
Blowing on it vigorously, she carefully brought it to Tang Song’s lips, her face lit up with a playful smile. "Here you go, Senior—open wide. Ahhh!"
Her expression was almost like she was coaxing a child, full of charm and humor.
Tang Song grinned and leaned in, taking a bite.
The rich, harmonious flavors burst in his mouth. "This is delicious."
"Then have another bite!"
"You should eat too. Food tastes better when shared."
Taking turns, they slowly savored the noodles, occasionally chatting about the upcoming Su Yu concert.
Even though Tang Song earnestly claimed that Su Yu was his girlfriend, it was obvious that neither Yao Lingling nor Li Shumin believed him.
The odds of such a thing happening were about the same as winning the lottery and then getting hit by a meteor right after. Completely impossible.
Suddenly, a bright flash of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a deep, rumbling thunder.
"Pitter-patter—"
Large raindrops began to fall, quickly escalating into a downpour.
The two of them hurriedly ducked under the large umbrella of the food stall for shelter.
"Wow, it’s started raining so early," Yao Lingling said, glancing at the intensifying downpour outside. Then, looking at the handsome senior beside her, her cheeks turned slightly red. "I guess we’ll just stay here and wait out the rain."
"Sure, no rush," Tang Song replied, handing the last piece of grilled cold noodles to her. He asked, "By the way, Lingling, how’s Jiahong doing at work lately? Is everything going smoothly?"
Tang Song, now a director at Huashang Fushi, had been focusing on understanding the company’s operations and business. Helping a junior land a good job seemed perfectly reasonable.
"She’s doing okay. The company is a bit out of the way and small in scale, but it’s legitimate. Besides her regular work, she’s been staying up late every night to study. She’s keeping herself very busy and fulfilled."
Tang Song considered this for a moment and said, "Why don’t you ask her if she’s interested in switching jobs? I can help her get into a clothing design role."
Yao Lingling froze for a moment, then quickly nodded. "Sure, thank you, Senior."
From the moment Tang Song had casually handed over two precious concert invitations, she had realized he was far more capable than she’d imagined.
The June wind carried the rain under the edges of the umbrella, making their small space feel even cozier.
They stood close together, chatting about the 618 shopping festival and reminiscing about their days at Yan City University of Technology.
Yao Lingling could clearly feel the presence of Tang Song beside her, his warm and reassuring aura.
"Pitter-patter—"
The streetlights shimmered through the rain, their light hazy and indistinct.
For a moment, it felt as though the world had shrunk to just the two of them.
Tang Song was disciplined and determined, continuously evolving into the impressive figure he was today.
He was multi-talented, excelling at sketching, painting, and even clothing design—better than her in every way.
He exuded a gentle, refreshing energy, free from any oppressive or intimidating air.
Spending time with him was easy; they always seemed to be in sync.
Watching him now, silhouetted against the rainy night, his straight nose and thin lips outlined by the dim light, Yao Lingling felt her thoughts blur.
Thank you for being so brilliant and dazzling, for becoming the star in the plain sky of my life.
She let out a soft breath, her gaze drifting to the steadily lightening rainfall.
Too bad this rain is so short, she thought wistfully.
Monday, June 19, 2023. Moderate rain turning to cloudy. 21–27°C.
Early morning. The sky was dark and overcast.
Raindrops drummed steadily against the windows, their crisp, rhythmic sound wonderfully soothing.
When Tang Song opened his eyes, it was already 6:30 a.m.
Sitting up, he stretched lazily, feeling refreshed and energized.
Barefoot, he stepped off the bed and drew open the curtains of the master bedroom’s balcony.
The world beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows was cloaked in a gauzy veil of rain.
The distant high-rises were blurred, reduced to vague silhouettes against the watery backdrop.
Tang Song stared blankly at the scene for a while before settling into the rattan chair on the balcony.
He opened the sports camera beside him, placed a sketchpad on his lap, and casually picked up a pencil.
"Scratch, scratch, scratch—"
The soft sound of pencil on paper filled the air.
Before long, a strikingly elegant face emerged on the sheet.
The lines were fluid, the contours exquisite.
Bright eyes, an aquiline nose, and a serene expression met the viewer.
Her lips carried a faint, enigmatic smile that added an air of mystery and nobility.
It was the likeness of her latest promotional poster.
Tang Song turned off the sports camera and held the sketch paper up toward the rainy, misty view outside.
Su Yu, Su Yu.
This afternoon, you’ll arrive in Yan City.
I’ll finally meet the [celebrity] I’ve nurtured for six years.
How should I approach you? As a fan meeting their idol? As a creator greeting their creation? Or perhaps... as equals?
His fingers gently traced the upturned corners of her sketched smile, and his own lips curved to mirror it.
"Ding! Congratulations, player. Aura effect activated. You’ve triggered an additional critical hit reward."
"Ding! You’ve obtained a special item: [Intermediate Physique Optimization Potion ×1]."
Hearing the back-to-back notifications, Tang Song froze briefly before breaking into an excited grin.
He’d triggered an extra reward!
It had been over a month since his last lucky activation. At a 2% probability, hitting this jackpot felt like a rare and satisfying stroke of fortune.
Taking a deep breath, his enhanced cardiovascular system quickly calmed him.
Entering his system inventory, he found a small potion bottle glowing faintly orange, resting quietly in the interface.
He clicked on it to view its details:
[Intermediate Physique Optimization Potion]: Gradually optimizes the body, improving muscle alignment, making minor skeletal adjustments, enhancing flexibility, and reducing muscle tension while improving coordination. Also increases basal metabolic rate (Stamina +1, Agility +1).
"Nice!" Tang Song exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.
Items like this, offering permanent and comprehensive physical improvement, were gems in the game.
The last time he’d received a similar item was during his first challenge mission when he’d gotten the [Beginner Physique Optimization Potion].
That had increased his height by two centimeters.
In comparison, the [Intermediate Physique Optimization Potion] focused on optimizing muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues—complete with attribute bonuses.
Despite his efforts in posture training and corrections, Tang Song still occasionally struggled with long-standing muscle memory that caused less-than-ideal movements.
This potion could finally help his body move with greater harmony and grace.
Without hesitation, he selected the potion and clicked Use.
A fresh, sweet liquid suddenly appeared in his mouth.
The taste was so delightful it seemed his body itself was crying out: Drink it! Drink it!
"Gulp—"
The cool, silky liquid slid down his throat, leaving a refreshing trail behind.
A gentle heat began spreading from within, filling his entire body with an energizing warmth.
Tang Song took a deep breath, rushed to his wardrobe, and changed into the [Unlimited Vigor] outfit.
He headed to the living room, rolled out a yoga mat, and started an intense workout session.
Fat-burning exercises, push-ups, squats...
With each movement, he felt his body becoming increasingly flexible. His actions grew more precise, efficient, and graceful.
Though his stamina, endurance, and agility were already impressive, Tang Song had always been hampered by the stiffness of his untrained muscles and joints. Some movements had always felt awkward, as if his body refused to stretch fully.
Now, every motion flowed effortlessly, free from those previous restrictions.
After over an hour of vigorous exercise, the heat inside him gradually dissipated. Tang Song stopped and stood still, marveling at the newfound lightness in his body.
He flexed his arms and legs experimentally, moving fluidly in ways that had once been impossible.
The potion had worked wonders.
Tang Song carefully observed his body and movements, noting the improvements brought by the potion.
His balance and stability while standing were noticeably enhanced, and his posture had become more upright and graceful. Issues like slouching, anterior pelvic tilt, and posterior pelvic tilt were corrected, saving him countless hours of training in the future.
When he moved with force, his muscle efficiency felt smoother and more natural.
The significant boost in flexibility would also make his basketball games more dynamic and entertaining.
Curious, he opened his system interface to review his stats:
[Player: Tang Song (57' Charm)]
[Role: President, Songmei Fashion]
[Height: 182.5 cm | Weight: 80 kg]
[Attributes:]
Constitution: 68Stamina: 70 (68+2)Agility: 69 (65+4)Perception: 81[Asset Status:]
...
Each of his three primary stats was now nearing the 70 threshold, which placed him solidly in the "excellent" range.
Even better, his height, which had been stagnant for some time, had increased by another 0.5 cm.
Tang Song looked forward to seeing how much more growth the potion’s effects would bring over time.
After a quick shower, he admired his more refined physique in the mirror for a while before humming a tune and preparing breakfast.
10:00 AM, Yan City International Airport.
A Gulfstream G280 private jet touched down smoothly on the runway.
From the cabin emerged a tall, stunning blonde woman, accompanied by several assistants in sleek suits.
After disembarking, they proceeded through the VIP passage to the exclusive reception area.
"Ms. Kate!" A polished woman with a neat bob and a composed demeanor raised a sign with the guest’s name.
The rhythmic clack of high heels echoed through the corridor as Annie Kate walked toward her.
Her lips curved into a charming smile.
"Morning, Secretary Li. How come it’s not Mo coming to get me? This is kind of unexpected!" she said in fluent English, her tone playful yet poised.
Secretary Li quickly explained in English, "Ms. Mo had an urgent matter to attend to. She’s waiting for you in the car outside."
"Alright, thank you."
Annie nodded gracefully and followed Secretary Li toward the exit.
She wore a tailored black suit skirt set, the fitted design perfectly accentuating her hourglass figure.
Her posture was impeccable, her strides confident, and her golden hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders.
Under the soft lighting, her flawless features became even more striking—her high nose bridge, full lips, and deep blue eyes exuded elegance and confidence.
The slightly open collar of her blouse revealed a hint of her alluring collarbones.
Her straight shoulders radiated authority, while her full, round hips and toned, shapely legs hinted at a vitality that was both elegant and robust.
Her appearance naturally drew many admiring glances along the way.
A beauty of her caliber would stand out in any setting.
In the VIP pickup area outside, three black luxury business vehicles waited.
Annie stepped into the backseat of the lead Maybach. Crossing her toned legs slightly to one side, she turned to the woman seated beside her—Mo Xiangwan—and smiled.
"Oh, Mo! It’s been ages since we last met. You must be thrilled to see me, right?"
The vehicle began to move smoothly out of the airport.
Mo Xiangwan pressed her lips together and sighed. "Annie, was it really necessary for you to come all the way here to stir up trouble?"
"No, no! I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here on behalf of Jingwu Capital to negotiate the acquisition of Light and Shadow Media’s shares." Annie’s deep blue eyes sparkled mischievously. "Of course, I also heard from Mira (Jin Meixiao) that Song wrote a new song for Su. Something about their love and dreams. Naturally, I’m extremely curious."
"And what exactly are you implying?" Mo Xiangwan asked cautiously.
Annie blinked with feigned innocence. "I heard Su will be staying at Song’s apartment for the next two days. Naturally, I’ll also need to stay there temporarily. You wouldn’t refuse, would you? After all, we’re such good friends."
Mo Xiangwan’s eye twitched as she pieced the situation together.
It had to be Su Yu who sent the song to Annie’s close friend, Jin Meixiao. This likely angered the executive director of Smile Holdings.
Recently, Tang Song had first taken interest in Zhao Yaqian, the "canary," and then revealed feelings for Wen Ruan. Clearly, his approach to relationships had shifted from the restrained, loyal one of the past.
Now, with a new song for Su Yu and the Yan City concert looming, Jin Meixiao must have been worried that Tang Song and Su Yu might engage in some "intimate discussions" during this period.
But Jin Meixiao wasn’t someone who would outright violate Tang Song’s wishes, nor could she personally travel to Yan City.
So, she’d likely sent Annie, her close friend and college classmate, to handle the situation.
In America, major capital interests are the true rulers, and America’s global influence is unquestionable.
Annie Kate, as one of the heirs of the Kate Family, represented significant power that was vital to Tang Song’s growing business empire.
Su Yu, understanding this dynamic, would never jeopardize Tang Song’s interests, which meant she wouldn’t oppose Annie openly either.
"Su Yu will arrive in Yan City at 4 PM. You can discuss it with her then," Mo Xiangwan said with a deep breath, clearly resigned to the situation.
Frankly, she wouldn’t mind if Tang Song and Su Yu did meet—and even spend a night together.
That would complete Su Yu’s transformation into a truly dazzling "canary."
"OK!" Annie brushed her golden hair aside and smiled playfully. "Speaking of Song, I haven’t seen him in ages. I even prepared a special surprise for him before, but Mira found out, scolded me for days, and even contacted my father about it. I think Song owes me a proper apology."
"A surprise?" Mo Xiangwan raised a curious eyebrow.
She couldn’t recall anything that would provoke Jin Meixiao to such an extent.
Annie shrugged. "Song once mentioned in an email that he admired a few American adult film stars. A while back, I acquired a talent agency and thought it’d be fun to gift it to him when we met."
Mo Xiangwan’s chest rose and fell sharply as she suppressed her exasperation.
"Annie, I think Tang Song was joking. He’s never shown real interest in those things."
Annie’s smile turned dazzling. "If you get the chance, why don’t you ask him yourself? I’m just curious to see his reaction."