novelraw Chapter 273: [Dream Wedding] & [Vow Necklace]
Chapter 273: [Dream Wedding] & [Vow Necklace]
Soft lips trembled slightly beneath his own.
The sweet scent of Wen Ruan, mingled with the faint tang of beer, filled Tang Song’s senses.
The emotions that had been building up since the moment he saw her handwritten message on the back of the photo erupted in this instant.
His hand gripped her supple waist tightly, and his kiss was fierce—almost as if he wanted to meld her into himself.
Wen Ruan’s eyes grew misty as she stared at him, her gaze unfocused, unable to tell whether this was reality or a dream.
The strumming of the guitar came to an abrupt halt, leaving the second floor of the bridal shop in an eerie silence.
Everyone else was too stunned to react to the sudden intrusion of the man who had rushed in and kissed Wen Ruan.
Most hadn’t even gotten a clear look at his face.
“F***! Who the h*ll are you? Get off her!”
Zheng Jinping, snapping out of his shock, was red-eyed with rage. He stormed forward, grabbing Tang Song’s arm and trying to yank him away.D*mn it! She was my university crush—my White Moonlight!
She hadn’t even dated anyone before, and now some random guy just barges in and kisses her?!
Zhang Xintong, who had been silently witnessing the romantic drama unfold, was startled by the sudden commotion.
Quickly, she stepped in and grabbed Zheng Jinping’s arm. “Don’t misunderstand! He’s Sister Wen Ruan’s boyfriend.”
Zheng Jinping froze mid-motion, his grip loosening. “Her… boyfriend?”
Sun Simin hurried over, her face full of confusion as she turned to Wen Ruan. “Ruan Ruan! What’s going on?!”
Everything had happened so suddenly that she was completely caught off guard.
Since when did Wen Ruan have a boyfriend? Why didn’t I know anything about this?!
Coming out of her dazed state, Wen Ruan glanced around at everyone before turning her gaze back to Tang Song.
Her lips trembled as she spoke in disbelief. “Tang Song… why are you here?”
Looking deeply into her eyes, Tang Song replied, “I missed you, so I came to Beijing to find you. I was worried about you.”
After he finished speaking, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Wen Ruan’s lashes fluttered, her teeth biting into her lower lip. Unnoticed, tears began to stream down her face.
One by one, they rolled down her cheeks until she couldn’t hold them back any longer.
Tang Song pulled her into another embrace, resting her head against his shoulder.
His shirt quickly grew damp with her warm tears.
Since they had met, Wen Ruan had always presented herself as the quintessential “big sister” in front of him.
She was understanding, accommodating, carefree, gentle, and full of charm.
Being with her always made him feel cared for, like basking in a warm, nurturing glow.
But now, she seemed so fragile—like an injured kitten, yearning for her owner’s protection.
Tang Song gently stroked her long hair, his voice low and soothing as he comforted her.
Meanwhile, Sun Simin stood wide-eyed, staring incredulously at Tang Song.
Dressed in a sharp business outfit—white shirt, black trousers—his slightly disheveled hair couldn’t hide his extraordinary looks and air of sophistication.
Most importantly, he was young, fit, and undeniably attractive!
Tall, with a well-proportioned and muscular physique, he was almost impossibly handsome!
As Wen Ruan’s long-time friend, Sun Simin suddenly understood everything.
Oh, Ruan Ruan, you’re still the same old looks-obsessed girl!
You secretly found yourself a gorgeous "little wolf dog," didn’t you?
After a while...
Wen Ruan lifted her head and took the tissue that Zhang Xintong handed her, dabbing at her tears.
After a few deep breaths, she regained her composure and looked straight at Tang Song. In a soft voice, she said, “Thank you.”
Her earlier emotional breakdown stemmed from her disappointment in herself and her uncertainty about their relationship.
Tang Song’s sudden appearance was like a beam of light piercing through the dark night sky of Beijing, brightening her heart.
As for how he knew where to find her, Wen Ruan, being perceptive, had already guessed the answer.
Thinking about Zhang Xintong’s odd behavior earlier that day, her chest rose and fell, her emotions a blend of joy and gratitude.
No matter what, this proved that he truly cared about her.
He had been silently paying attention to her all along, unlike the doubts she had conjured in her mind.
Tang Song held her hand gently, shaking his head. “We’re a couple. Caring about you is my responsibility—you don’t need to thank me.”
After speaking, he turned around, his eyes scanning the group.
A charming smile spread across his face as he said, “Good evening, everyone. Let me formally introduce myself. I’m Tang Song, Wen Ruan’s boyfriend.”
His demeanor was confident and poised, and his voice carried a captivating warmth.
The impression he left on the group was instantly favorable.
Sun Simin quickly responded with a smile, “Hello, Tang Song! I’m Ruan Ruan’s college roommate, Sun Simin. She sure kept you hidden well! Not even a hint about something this big!”
“I’m her husband, Zhou Bo,” added Sun Simin’s husband with a polite nod.
“Hi, I’m Wen Ruan’s friend, Su Keke,” chimed in Su Keke, introducing herself while sneaking a glance at the handsome man in front of her.
Just by his appearance, Tang Song was already a perfect match for Wen Ruan.
Add to that his air of refinement and professionalism, and it was clear he had an impressive job and excellent credentials.
Su Keke couldn’t help but feel a little envious.
As expected, even though Wen Ruan had faced setbacks in her career, she could still find a wonderful partner to settle down with.
Zheng Jinping, still holding the guitar in one hand, extended the other for a handshake. His expression was complicated as he said, “Hello, I’m Wen Ruan’s college classmate, Zheng Jinping.”
Though it had been eight years since graduation, and he’d dated several girlfriends since, part of him still hadn’t let go.
Seeing Wen Ruan crying in Tang Song’s arms stirred a mix of bitterness and jealousy in his heart—along with an ache he couldn’t quite name.
“Nice to meet you.” Tang Song shook his hand, his gaze calm and confident.
From Zheng Jinping’s demeanor, Tang Song could easily sense the man’s lingering feelings for Wen Ruan.
But so what?
Wen Ruan belonged to him alone. Anyone else harboring thoughts about her was both mistaken and offending him.
Glancing at the guitar in Zheng Jinping’s hand, Tang Song smirked subtly.
He gave Wen Ruan’s hand a gentle squeeze, leaned in, and kissed her softly on the ear.
Inhaling the mature and alluring scent of her perfume, he whispered, “Ruan Ruan, what song do you want to hear? I’ll sing it for you.”
The way he said “Ruan Ruan” sent a wave of weakness through her legs.
Her cheeks flushed faintly as she playfully patted his chest. “Anything’s fine. There are so many people here today, though—don’t blame me if you embarrass yourself.”
Tang Song’s effort to cheer her up warmed her heart, and she couldn’t bring herself to refuse him.
Although they often talked about music, they had never gone to karaoke together, and she’d never heard him sing.
She had no idea what to expect, so she let him choose.
Even if he couldn’t carry a tune, to her ears, it would still sound heavenly.
Ultimately, she just wanted to bask in his affection and care.
“Okay.” Tang Song released her hand. “I heard someone playing Anhe Bridge earlier, but I interrupted. Let me finish the song for you.”
Tang Song turned his gaze toward Zheng Jinping and smiled, extending his hand. “May I borrow your guitar? Thank you.”
Zheng Jinping raised an eyebrow, hesitated for a moment, and then handed it over.
Sun Simin watched the exchange, glancing between Zheng Jinping and Tang Song. It was as if she were transported back to their college days, witnessing boys competing for Wen Ruan’s attention.
But she had to admit—this “little wolf” was truly formidable.
What’s more, Tang Song carried himself with such poise and charm that he wasn’t off-putting at all.
Zhang Xintong clapped her hands cheerfully. “Go for it! You’ve got this!”
Sun Simin joined in the encouragement, adding her own applause.
Hearing that Tang Song was going to play and sing, Wen Ruan raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You know how to play guitar? Why didn’t you mention it before?”
Tang Song gave her a dazzling smile and replied, “There’s a lot I can do—you’ll have to take your time discovering them.”
He adjusted the guitar in his arms and sat down gracefully on the tall stool by the window.
His posture was upright and elegant.
The evening breeze played with his slightly disheveled hair, and his chiseled features, paired with a semi-formal outfit, exuded a unique charisma.
Plucking the strings lightly, Tang Song tested the sound with a few simple notes.
Then, he lifted his head to look at Wen Ruan. Content originally comes from novel·fıre·net
His crisp white shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the collar, revealed a glimpse of his defined collarbones and toned chest muscles.
His high-bridged nose and lightly pressed lips complemented the depth and brightness of his eyes.
A rich, artistic aura seemed to overflow from him, filling the room.
“So handsome!” Zhang Xintong clasped her hands to her chest, visibly swooning.
Sun Simin and Su Keke’s eyes sparkled as well.
Forget the guitar skills for a moment—just the visual of him sitting there was beyond stunning, an absolute feast for the eyes!
Wen Ruan pressed her lips together tightly, clasping her hands as she stared at him.
This was a side of Tang Song she had never seen before.
She hadn’t expected him to possess such hidden depths.
What a treasure of a man.
“Ding-ding-deng-deng~ Tap~”
The infectious melody of the intro began to flow, punctuated by the rhythmic tapping on the guitar’s body.
Tang Song’s fingers danced across the strings, sliding, plucking, and pressing each note with precision and emotion.
Every movement was fluid, rhythmic, and filled with grace—like a dancer performing on stage.
A chill ran through the room, leaving everyone covered in goosebumps.
“Is that fingerstyle guitar?!” Zhang Xintong’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Zheng Jinping’s expression stiffened.
As a semi-professional guitarist who had been playing since middle school and was once the star of their college guitar club, he instantly recognized Tang Song’s level.
This was no amateur. Tang Song’s technique and fluidity were professional, master-level.
Effortless transitions, impeccable rhythm, and an emotional resonance that left no doubt about his expertise.
Even the others, who didn’t understand the nuances, noticed something extraordinary about Tang Song’s performance.
The sound was richer and more layered than standard guitar playing, with a level of expressiveness that was almost overwhelming.
It was as if multiple instruments were being played simultaneously on just one guitar.
The music was utterly mesmerizing.
As the poignant intro faded, Tang Song’s deep, magnetic voice filled the room:
“♪ Please tell me again, about that day, the girl holding a box...”
His vocal delivery, refined by professional-level music theory, enhanced by optimized tone, and bolstered by experience gained through [Su Yu’s Lyrics Notebook], coupled with his fingerstyle guitar, created an immersive atmosphere.
It was tranquil, far-reaching, and emotionally gripping, drawing everyone in.
“♪ I know those summers, like youth itself, will never return... The dreams we give up on can only be replaced by reluctant compromises... I know the bravado we once boasted of will someday fade into laughter, as fleeting as youth...”
Tang Song’s performance carried the group to another realm, tugging at their hearts with every note and lyric.
Wen Ruan’s gaze gradually softened, her eyes fixed intently on Tang Song.
His singing pulled her thoughts along with the melody, stirring up memories of youth, nostalgia, and bittersweet longing.
The faint sadness and solitude in the lyrics of Anhe Bridge, combined with Tang Song’s soulful performance, struck a chord deep within her heart.
It was as though all the bottled-up emotions she had been carrying were ignited by his song.
The soft evening breeze drifted through the window, gently stirring the sheer white curtains.
On the second floor of the bridal shop, only the sound of the guitar and Tang Song’s voice filled the air.
Under the dazzling lights, his eyes gradually lowered, his emotions completely entwined with his music.
The guitar’s tones alternated between subdued and mournful, like whispers in the night, and vibrant and uplifting, like a call at dawn.
Together with his voice, the sound wove an indescribable harmony and beauty.
“♪ I know this world has too many regrets every day, so goodbye, hello...”
As his voice faded, only the resonant notes of the guitar remained.
Tang Song looked up and saw Wen Ruan.
Her face was streaked with tears, her expression filled with wistful longing.
He stood from the high stool, walking slowly toward her while subtly improvising the guitar’s chords.
The melody took on a brighter tone, imbued with hope and anticipation for the future.
Wen Ruan stared at him, biting her lip hard before suddenly stepping forward.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him.
The guitar fell silent.
Wen Ruan kissed him with unrestrained passion, savoring his lips, his breath, and the love in his gaze.
Her feelings for Tang Song had solidified that day at Huiying Creative Park—not just because of his romantic gesture of walking through the rain to her, but also for his tenderness and care afterward.
The warm patch for her cramps, the perfectly timed painkillers...
Outwardly, she had appeared calm and composed, but inside, a storm had raged, leaving her utterly captivated.
If not for that, a woman who had preserved her dignity for 30 years would never have knocked on his door that night, fully aware of what would happen when she stepped inside.
Sun Simin and the others exchanged glances, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the display before them.
Barely minutes into the reunion, and these two had kissed how many times already?
And to top it off, Wen Ruan’s boyfriend was flawless—not just in looks and charm but also with skills like his mind-blowing guitar performance.
With someone like him, he could probably make a fortune even as an influencer.
Zheng Jinping’s hand tightened around the guitar before releasing it. He let out a long sigh of resignation.
Back in their college days, he had sung to Wen Ruan countless times—on the sports field, under the dorm windows, in the woods.
His talent was far inferior to Tang Song’s, but his feelings had been pure and sincere.
Yet he had never managed to move her.
After quickly touching up her makeup, Wen Ruan emerged from the bathroom, her composure fully restored.
“Sorry about earlier, everyone,” she said with a light laugh. “I got a little emotional. Hope I didn’t scare you.”
She glanced around at Sun Simin and the others, her expression apologetic but confident. She was once again the mature and graceful big sister they all knew.
“Don’t bottle things up. Talk to us when you’re feeling down,” Sun Simin said, her voice tinged with concern as she grabbed Wen Ruan’s hand.
Wen Ruan smiled and shook her head. “It’s nothing serious—just some issues at work. I can handle it. Anyway, I’ve tried the bridesmaid dress, and it’s getting late. Let’s head out.”
Sun Simin was about to nod when she suddenly turned to Tang Song with a grin. “Since you have a boyfriend now, why not let him be a groomsman at our wedding? That way, you two can pair up.”
Zhou Bo smacked his forehead lightly and looked at Tang Song. “One of my colleagues had agreed to be a groomsman but had to cancel at the last minute because of work.”
Sun Simin sighed dramatically. “My husband’s company does management consulting, so their projects are spread all over the country. They’re always traveling. We originally planned to get married on May 1st, but work schedules messed that up. And now the groomsman is off on a business trip—to Yan City, no less.”
Wen Ruan glanced at Tang Song and said softly, “The wedding is on Saturday, July 1st. It’s up to you if your schedule allows it—don’t feel pressured.”
Tang Song blinked and then smiled. “Actually, one of the main reasons I came to Beijing was to be with you at this wedding. Being a groomsman sounds like fun.”
His words filled Wen Ruan’s heart with warmth.
At the same time, she realized her two best friends had completely betrayed her.
Those teasing remarks about Tang Song in their group chats? They were intentional leaks by Hu Mingli and Zhang Ziqi—used as tools to push their relationship along.
Now, it seemed her friends had surrendered entirely to Tang Song’s sugar-coated charm.
Wen Ruan bit her lip. She’d have to find a way to get back at them!
“That’s perfect! There’s a groomsman suit here—let’s get you measured for one,” Sun Simin said, pointing to a nearby wardrobe.
Tang Song followed her gaze and saw that the suit was similar to what Zheng Jinping was already wearing—a standard black suit.
Since these were off-the-rack sizes, there was always a chance of a less-than-perfect fit.
After some thought, Tang Song said, “I didn’t bring any formalwear on this trip. I was thinking of shopping with Wen Ruan over the next few days. We can pick out a suit in the same style, and it’ll be a better fit.”
“Sounds good,” Sun Simin nodded without pressing further.
9:50 PM The group of seven emerged from the bridal shop, greeted by the damp warmth of the night air.
Zheng Jinping cast a glance at Wen Ruan and offered a quick farewell. Su Keke followed him, heading toward the nearby subway station.
Zhang Xintong glanced around, then said in a small voice, “Sister Wen Ruan, I’ll take a taxi back to the hotel. Bye-bye~”
She waved to Tang Song as well before jogging to the curb and opening her ride-hailing app.
Wen Ruan smiled lightly and didn’t comment.
Having submitted her resignation and left the Meigou Tech project group entirely, she felt an immense sense of relief.
Now that her boyfriend was by her side, there was no way she’d go back to her lonely hotel room.
The remaining four crossed the street and stopped outside the Fuyuanli Community gates.
Sun Simin tugged on Wen Ruan’s hand and pointed inside. “Want to stay at my place tonight? We can have a proper heart-to-heart.”
Wen Ruan chuckled and shook her head. “Better not. You’re about to get married and probably have a million things to do. I’d just get in the way.”
“Alright then.” Sun Simin glanced at Tang Song before leaning in to whisper something into Wen Ruan’s ear.
Wen Ruan’s cheeks immediately flushed pink. She swatted Sun Simin on the head lightly and scolded, “You’re impossible!”
Sun Simin burst into laughter, waving her hand at the couple as she and Zhou Bo walked into the community gate.
“What did Sister Simin just say?” Tang Song asked curiously.
“I’m not telling you, silly little brother,” Wen Ruan replied with a playful smile before striding forward.
Tang Song laughed and quickly caught up, wrapping his arms around her plush figure from behind.
Before Wen Ruan could react, she let out a small yelp as Tang Song lifted her into the air.
With a delighted laugh, he spun her around several times before stopping and playfully tickling her sides.
“Ah! Stop! Hahaha! Tang Song, I’m going to fall! Stop it!” Wen Ruan squealed, laughing uncontrollably as she squirmed in his arms.
“Good one, Zhuangzhuang! Calling me dumb, huh? Now, are you going to tell me?” Tang Song teased, his hands still tickling Wen Ruan mercilessly.
“Stop, stop! I’m super ticklish—please let me go!” she pleaded, laughing uncontrollably.
“Say it!”
“Let me go first! I can’t take it anymore! Ow, ow!”
“Wait a minute! Sister, can we not use basketball moves? That’s a foul!”
The moonlight poured down like liquid silver, wrapping Yizhuang’s streets in a gauzy veil.
Under the gentle glow, the buildings’ outlines softened, appearing like still frames from an old silhouette painting.
After their playful tussle, the two walked hand in hand along the quiet pedestrian paths.
Their steps were in sync, yet they maintained a comfortable silence.
They wandered aimlessly, passing through streets that alternated between tranquil and lively.
Suddenly, the rich aroma of fried food filled the air.
Wen Ruan stopped in her tracks, pointing to a small, brightly lit shop by the roadside. Her tone was adorably coquettish as she said, “Little brother, I want a fried chicken drumstick. Can you buy one for me?”
She gently swayed Tang Song’s hand as she spoke, her demeanor radiating a mix of reliance and affection.
It was irresistibly endearing.
“Wait here for me.”
Tang Song made an OK gesture before jogging over to the shop’s small window.
He spent 23 yuan on a freshly fried “pistol chicken drumstick.”
“Boss, make it extra spicy.”
As he waited for the drumstick to heat up and be packed, he turned around and glanced back.
Wen Ruan stood quietly under the soft glow of a streetlamp, her hands folded in front of her.
A faint, tender smile graced her face, radiating warmth and happiness.
The slightly rundown street, the golden-yellow light, the occasional passing car, her fashionable outfit, and her wind-blown hair...
Together, they formed a scene straight out of a dream.
Tang Song’s mind replayed the message she had written on the back of that photo. His heart skipped a beat.
She was thoughtful, considerate, emotionally steady, cheerful, romantic, and knew how to create joy.
If they were to marry, this “big sister” would undoubtedly make a wonderful wife.
But he knew he couldn’t give her a proper commitment, a fulfilling marriage, or the wedding she deserved.
A pang of realization hit him—her recent emotional turmoil might have been partly his fault.
“Ding! The system store has been updated. New items are now available for purchase.”
The crisp system notification sounded in his ears, pulling him from his thoughts.
Tang Song blinked, then quickly refocused and opened the system interface.
Entering the store module, he noticed a previously empty shelf now displayed an item glowing with a faint red light.
With a simple mental touch, the item’s details appeared:
[Dream Wedding]
Effect: Creates a dream-like wedding scenario tailored to the player’s wishes. Participants can experience a perfect wedding in a unique dreamscape instance. Upon completion, the player will receive a special item: [Vow Necklace].
Price: 10 million yuan.
Note: The instance allows one partner to be invited to participate. The invited partner will not perceive the dream as abnormal, but their experience will remain etched in their memory.