novelraw Chapter 263: Today’s Headline
Chapter 263: Today’s Headline
Beijing, Hesheng Xiaoyun Road, Building No. 8.
In Tower 3, a sprawling 520-square-meter apartment stood brightly lit.
The study was silent, save for the soft rustle of pages turning.
“Knock, knock, knock—”
“Come in.”
An executive assistant stepped in lightly, walking to the desk. Speaking softly, she said, “Director Jin, we just received notice that Su Yu’s concert, originally scheduled to end at 10 PM, will be delayed indefinitely. Tang Zong Entertainment has already informed the event organizers and mobilized significant traffic resources in Yan City for subsequent arrangements.”
“Oh?” Secretary Jin set down the document in her hands. “Got it.”
She picked up her phone from the desk, lighting up the screen to see a flood of notifications:
“Stunning! Su Yu’s New Song Seals Her Legacy!”“A Night of Brilliance: Su Yu’s New Song Debuts, Transforming the Concert into a Musical Dreamland.”“From Debut to Classic: Su Yu’s Live Performance Adds a New Chapter to Her Career.” As one of the top-tier superstars in the country, Su Yu’s every move captivated countless hearts.The buzz surrounding this concert had persisted for over a month, and with the sudden debut of a new song, the excitement reached its zenith.
Secretary Jin casually clicked on one notification, and a gentle, melodious tune began to play. A clip from the live stream appeared on the screen, showcasing the radiant, dazzling superstar beneath the spotlight.
Her gaze flickered slightly as she watched.
Opening her contact list, she dialed a number, issuing a series of quiet instructions.
Moments later, her phone vibrated, and several photos arrived via WeChat.
They depicted Tang Song and Mo Xiangwan backstage at the concert.
Her eyes lingered on the baseball cap Tang Song wore in the photos—it was the one she had given him after returning to the country. To think he had kept it all this time...
A faintly gloomy mood lifted in an instant.
“By the way, the team from Guangying Media is coming to Beijing tomorrow, correct?”
“Yes, Director. Per your request, they’ll be meeting at the Meigou Tech headquarters on Monday, June 26.”
“Clear two hours for me next Monday. I want to attend the meeting.”
“Understood, Director Jin.”
The study door closed softly behind the assistant’s departure.
Leaning back in her chair, Secretary Jin listened to Dream Echo playing softly on her phone, her eyes closed.
Murmuring, she said, “Across time and space, we forged a connection transcending dimensions. Our dream itself is an ineffable miracle. But when will you finally give me an echo of passion in return?”
Even though this song was written for Su Yu, she felt as though it were meant for her.
Come to think of it, it had been quite some time since she had felt his presence in her dreams.
After a moment, she removed her gold-rimmed glasses, revealing a pair of sparkling, star-like eyes brimming with vitality and a rare intensity.
She picked up her phone again and dialed Mo Xiangwan.
The stadium resounded with a thunderous chorus.
“The unfinished poem, entangled with eternal love in every word…”
The voices of tens of thousands intertwined, rising and falling, creating a magnificent ocean of music.
On the three large screens behind the stage, soft halos of light flowed, capturing the faces of audience members in various sections.
Excited, flushed faces were clearly visible.
“I love you, Su Yu!” screamed Tian Jing, standing and forming a heart with her hands as her face appeared onscreen.
Beside her, the short-haired Qin Hua struck a cute pose and made a peace sign for the camera.
Both women were stunning, particularly Tian Jing, with her fair skin and sweet features. Dressed in a glittery, eye-catching outfit, she radiated charm under the camera’s gaze, drawing cheers from the audience.
The director lingered on their image for a few extra moments.
In Section B, Xu Qing noticed the commotion and realized Little Jing was seated just behind her to the right.
And… Tang Song wasn’t with her?
A sly sense of satisfaction crept into her thoughts.
Well, that’s good. Otherwise, Little Jing, with her obsessive tendencies, would likely force Tang Song into doing something excessive right in the middle of the concert.
Knowing how she was, Xu Qing might have ended up dreaming about all sorts of crazy scenarios involving her novel’s male protagonist again tonight.
The chorus began to fade.
Shen Yuyan nudged her, “The concert’s almost over—probably just the encore left. Should we head out early?”
“No way! I’m staying until the end!” Xu Qing adamantly refused, tugging on her best friend’s arm. “We have such great seats. We can’t miss the last song! I worked hard to get you this ticket!”
“Fine, fine,” Shen Yuyan relented with a sigh, pinching Xu Qing’s cheek.
She still had a mountain of tasks to handle tomorrow, including negotiating investment terms and a betting agreement at Gongying Technology in Beijing.
And with the sheer number of people at the concert, getting a taxi later would be a nightmare—she’d probably be home past midnight.
But seeing her best friend’s enthusiasm, she chose not to insist.
The stage lights dimmed again, yet the audience’s excitement remained at its peak.
Su Yu had delivered a stellar performance tonight, brimming with energy. Her new song debut had already ignited the crowd to an extraordinary level.
“Encore! Encore! Encore!”
The chant swept through the venue, perfectly synchronized, echoing from all sides.
A moment later, the lights flared to life once more.
Dressed in a sleek, form-fitting outfit, Su Yu returned to the stage, ready to perform the scheduled encore: Blurred Boundaries.
「♪BGM: The dawn barely breaks, the night lingers on, two hearts wander in the mist…」
As the song concluded, the smoke on stage dissipated, and the lights dimmed once more.
Su Yu bowed gracefully, her silhouette elegant as she exited the stage.
“Encore! Encore! Encore!” Tian Jing shouted along with the crowd, her wide eyes sparkling with excitement.
Though she hadn’t considered herself a fan of Su Yu before—being more into two-dimensional anime characters—the god-tier performance she witnessed tonight had completely converted her.
Now, she was a full-fledged fangirl, thoroughly immersed in the electric atmosphere.
Qin Hua patted her on the shoulder and leaned in to whisper, “Su Yu never does more than one encore. The concert’s over, and the company driver is waiting for us outside. We should head out.”
“But I still want to hear more songs!” Tian Jing stuck out her tongue and continued chanting, “Encore!”
The calls for an encore surged like a relentless tide.
Tonight had been packed with surprises, and the audience couldn’t bear to leave.
They knew another encore was unlikely—but still, what if?
Qin Hua shook her head, exasperated, just as she was about to reply.
After five solid minutes of perfectly synchronized chanting, the stage lights burst to life once again.
Su Yu reappeared on stage, smiling warmly as she greeted the audience to the faint strains of music.
The screams of the crowd were deafening, louder than ever before.
Many people’s voices were already hoarse, yet they continued to shout at the top of their lungs, their faces flushed with emotion.
The entire stadium seemed to tremble under the weight of their ecstatic cries.
Miraculously, Su Yu had come back for a second encore!
Tian Jing pumped her fists in the air, her cheeks rosy, looking utterly adorable.
After her second encore, Su Yu disappeared from the stage again.
Yet, no one left their seats. The collective chant of “Encore!” echoed once more.
A while later, hazy fog rolled across the stage, and laser lights swept through the arena.
The lights converged at the center, revealing a figure slowly rising from the smoke.
The large screen displayed a familiar face, prompting Tian Jing to exclaim, “They managed to bring Pei Yanke back out?”
Pei Yanke, the current lead vocalist of Echo Girl Group, had already performed two songs earlier as a guest.
On stage, the sultry and fiery Pei Yanke bowed deeply to the audience, her bright, cheerful smile lighting up the room.
“Yu Jie has sung 26 songs tonight. As much as she loves you all, she needs to rest,” she said with a playful tone. “I’ll be performing A Gift of Time for everyone now.”
“Whoa~~” The crowd erupted in cheers once more.
Though the main event was over, the concert hadn’t technically ended.
Pei Yanke, as the lead vocalist of the current Echo group, had effectively succeeded Su Yu in some ways. Performing one of Su Yu’s signature songs from her Echo days brought waves of nostalgia and excitement to the crowd.
After the song ended, the laser lights dimmed one by one.
There was a brief moment of stillness before the audience resumed their chant of “Encore!”
They’d come to realize that Su Yu was being unusually generous tonight, indulging her fans far more than usual.
They had little hope left—but then again, what if?
Another stretch of time passed.
Once more, the stage lights shifted, and another familiar face appeared on the large screen.
This time, it was Bonnie, the Grammy-winning British megastar who had already performed earlier as a guest.
A thunderous cheer erupted both in the stadium and from viewers watching the livestream.
Everyone could sense that tonight’s concert was something extraordinary.
It was nothing short of a revelation, completely upending their perceptions of Su Yu.
Not only had she debuted a brand-new single live, but she had also packed the encore segment with unprecedented surprises.
...
Backstage at the Concert: In the Dressing Room
As Su Yu walked back into the dressing room, Tang Song’s expression softened with a tinge of worry.
The concert, initially planned to end before 10 PM, was now nearing 11:30 PM.
What was supposed to be a two-hour show had stretched to over three hours.
The live audience was ecstatic, and online fans were losing their minds.
Though the guest performers had helped share the spotlight, Su Yu was undoubtedly the centerpiece.
Her exhaustion was evident—her face bore the faint traces of fatigue, and her voice had developed a slight rasp.
It was clear she was pushing herself to her absolute limit.
Tang Song took a step forward, gently wrapping his arm around her waist. With sincerity, he said, “Su Yu, don’t go back for another encore.”
Su Yu paused, raising her head to meet his gaze.
Her eyes shimmered like a pool of autumn water, the gentle waves threatening to spill over, drowning Tang Song’s composure in an instant.
Throughout the concert’s intermissions, each time she returned to the dressing room, she would find Tang Song waiting for her—gentle, real, and close.
Here, she could kiss him freely, recount the changes in her life over the past three years, and bask in a blissful intimacy she had long yearned for.
Her gaze drifted from his eyes to his forehead, ears, nose, and lips before she rested her head on his shoulder.
Her lips brushed against his neck as she inhaled deeply, her breath warm against his skin.
“I’ll listen to you. But this really means I have to say goodbye now, Tang Song,” she murmured softly. Her voice, though calm, carried a heavy undercurrent of suppressed emotion.
Lowering her head, she pressed her eyes to his shoulder.
The cool, damp sensation spread across his skin.
Tang Song gently wiped the corners of her eyes, lifting her chin so their eyes met. His heart quivered.
Some say that eye contact is like a spiritual kiss.
Tang Song hadn’t understood this before, but now he felt it deeply.
In that moment, it was as if he had touched her very soul, sensing her emotions as if they were his own.
His fingers traced the smooth, flawless contours of her face as he said warmly, “I’ve prepared a gift for you. I hope you’ll like it.”
“What kind of gift?”
Tang Song reached into his pocket, retrieving a crystal box that held a bracelet inside.
He opened it carefully, revealing the dreamy piece of jewelry.
“This is a one-of-a-kind vow bracelet. My superstar, I hope it conveys my feelings to you—our journey is a mutual pursuit.”
Hearing this heartfelt confession, Su Yu’s body tensed, her heartbeat pounding like never before.
Her eyes glowed with intense emotion, as if her once fragmented soul had been healed and filled.
The fatigue that had weighed on her moments ago vanished entirely.
“I can feel it!” she said, her voice soft but melodious.
Tang Song picked up the bracelet, smiling gently. “Then, Miss Su Yu, which hand would you like to wear it on?”
Su Yu looked into his eyes and extended her left hand.
Tang Song delicately wrapped the bracelet around her wrist.
It resembled a mysterious pathway of violets, winding elegantly around her slender, snow-white arm.
Su Yu raised her hand, her gaze dreamy.
Under the light, the amethyst on the bracelet shimmered.
At times, it glowed with a soft, dreamy lavender, like flowers half-hidden in morning mist.
At others, it deepened into a rich, regal purple, reminiscent of the brightest stars in the night sky.
The bracelet exuded an irresistible charm—romantic, enchanting, and captivating.
Su Yu wrapped her arms around Tang Song’s neck, her full lips parting to exhale a sweet, heated breath before capturing his lips in a kiss.
Between kisses, she whispered, “I love you too.”
...
The Aftermath of a Night to Remember
As the stage lights gradually dimmed and the surrounding arena lights illuminated, the audience began to leave reluctantly.
The exit streams were slow and heavy, as if the night’s magical energy weighed on them.
Some fans lingered in their seats, gazing wistfully at the now-empty stage.
For those who had traveled from across the country, tonight’s concert felt like a miraculous journey—an experience to treasure for a lifetime.
Outside the Yan Provincial Olympic Center, police and security personnel maintained order amidst the dispersing crowd.
A fleet of buses and shuttles stood with doors open, ready to ferry fans to various destinations.
Taxis lined the roads, waiting patiently.
With over 50,000 attendees, the concert had undoubtedly placed immense pressure on the city’s transportation infrastructure.
Yet, the Yan City government had provided excellent logistical support.
Thanks to wide roads and smooth traffic coordination, everything proceeded orderly and efficiently.
“Xiaoxue, over here! Over here!”
At the VIP exit, the tall and elegant Zhao Yaqian stood on tiptoe, waving enthusiastically.
“Qianqian, Tingzi.” Lin Muxue approached quickly, greeting them softly, though her expression seemed uneasy.
“Tonight was incredible! My voice is almost gone from all the shouting!” Zhao Yaqian exclaimed, hugging Lin Muxue with excitement.
“Su Yu was absolutely mesmerizing live, and she came back for so many encores—it’s unbelievable!”
“The new song debut and an hour of encores—it’s already blowing up online!” He Liting chimed in, her voice trembling with emotion.
“I just checked Douyin—it’s all clips from Su Yu’s concert.”
“And tons of self-media outlets are speculating whether Su Yu was triggered by something.”
It was their first time attending a concert, and having VIP tickets to Su Yu’s show made it even more surreal. The breathtaking visuals and electrifying atmosphere left them dazed, still immersed in the experience.
The three walked out of the Olympic Center arm-in-arm and soon found a taxi for the ride home.
As the car sped down the wide roads, the cityscape blurred past.
Seated in the back, Lin Muxue kept her head low, her thoughts a noisy tangle.
Su Yu’s image flashed repeatedly in her mind, accompanied by questions about Tang Song’s true identity and his relationship with Su Yu.
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Standing below Building 6, Lin Muxue suddenly grabbed Zhao Yaqian’s arm.
“Tingzi, I need to talk to Qianqian for a moment. You head up first.”
He Liting blinked in surprise before nodding. “Okay,” she said, walking into the lobby.
“What’s wrong, Xiaoxue?” Zhao Yaqian asked, puzzled by her friend’s unusual demeanor.
Lin Muxue hesitated for a long while, struggling to find the right words.
Finally, in a low voice, she asked, “Qianqian… do you know who Miss Su is? Have you ever wondered about her identity?”
Zhao Yaqian froze briefly.
Memories of a conversation at Slover Trust flashed through her mind, along with an incident in Shanghai involving an Hermès gift from “Miss Su.”
"I can tell you clearly: monopolizing him is impossible. He had a lover long before you."
That “lover” must have been Miss Su.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Yaqian shook her head. “I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. I love Brother Song, and he loves me. Our relationship has nothing to do with anyone else.”
Her voice was calm but resolute. She was content with her life as it was now: financially secure, carefree, and loved by Tang Song.
All she needed was to hold onto her piece of the world.
Who Miss Su was or what her background entailed didn’t concern her.
As long as Tang Song continued to love her, she feared nothing.
Lin Muxue stared at her, feeling a sharp pang in her chest.
In that moment, she realized why it was Zhao Yaqian and not herself who had won Tang Song’s love and the family trust.
Though she admired Tang Song deeply, her feelings were tangled with too many ulterior motives—far less pure than those of a beautician like Zhao Yaqian.
If Tang Song were truly just the technical director at Shimmer Coffee, she would likely have chosen to let him go.
“I understand now. It’s nothing. It’s late; you should get some sleep,” Lin Muxue said finally, forcing a smile.
“Okay! Goodnight, Xiaoxue!” Zhao Yaqian replied cheerfully.
“Goodnight.”
As Zhao Yaqian turned to leave, Lin Muxue bit her lower lip hard, the sharp pain spreading from her mouth to her heart.
...
The quiet hum of the front door unlocking broke the stillness.
"Clack, clack—" The armored security door swung open gently.
Humming a tune, Zhao Yaqian stepped into the entryway and swapped her shoes for slippers.
“Dum, dum, dum,” she walked into the living room.
“Tingzi! I’m back—” She barely finished her sentence before letting out a surprised “Ah!”
Her face lit up as she saw her boyfriend standing before her.
“Brother Song! When did you get here?” she asked excitedly.
“A little earlier than you two,” Tang Song replied, giving the beautician’s pert backside a light pat before setting her down.
Noticing his gaze, Zhao Yaqian playfully tossed her freshly dyed hair over her shoulder.
“Brother Song, how does it look? I just had it dyed today. Do you like it?”
Wearing a cropped T-shirt and denim shorts, Zhao Yaqian radiated youthful energy, her red wine-colored hair accentuating her vibrant charm.
Her slender waist and bare, shapely legs teased Tang Song’s senses, sending his thoughts spiraling.
His earlier interactions with Su Yu had already stirred his desires, leaving him struggling to suppress them due to system constraints and his need to maintain his persona.
Now, faced with his sultry and captivating girlfriend, his restraint was unraveling fast.
“Ah!” Zhao Yaqian let out another surprised squeal as Tang Song swept her off her feet, carrying her bridal-style toward the master bedroom.
From the kitchen doorway, He Liting stood frozen, a tray of freshly washed fruit in her hands.
Her cheeks flushed as she watched the scene unfold, her heart racing.
Judging by the look in President Tang’s eyes, Qianqian is definitely in for it tonight!
Over half an hour later.
Tang Song gently patted Zhao Yaqian’s red-tinted hair as she rested against him.
She shyly nodded, her face still flushed.
Suddenly, a familiar translucent screen materialized before him.
[June 20, 2023: Due to your interaction with the character “Superstar - Su Yu” and the subsequent chain of events, the character “Secretary Jin” has experienced intense emotional turbulence.]
[You have completed the hidden mission “The Enraged Secretary Jin.”]
[You have obtained: Dream Fragment of Secretary Jin x1.]
[Dream Fragment of Secretary Jin x1]: Collect three dream fragments to synthesize the rare item [Secretary Jin’s Dreamscape], granting one-time access to the character’s dream world for in-depth communication.
Note: Avoid actions contrary to the character’s will (e.g., coercion, insult, abuse), as these may significantly impact her real-life state.
Tang Song’s brows twitched violently, a foreboding sense of unease coursing through him.
The concert ended hours ago—what could have triggered Secretary Jin now?
A sudden realization struck him.
Grabbing his phone from the bedside table, he quickly lit up the screen.
What greeted him was a flood of notifications, all pointing to a single explosive piece of news.
[Breaking: Su Yu Is in Love!]