novelraw Chapter 287: The Canary’s Transformation, Qian Lele
Chapter 287: The Canary’s Transformation, Qian Lele
A dedicated makeup team surrounded her, adjusting the tailored traditional Chinese bridal dress.
Golden embroidery danced across the red satin, weaving intricate patterns of dragons and phoenixes, symbolizing harmony and prosperity.
The layered hem of the dress rippled like gentle waves, with every layer adorned with exquisite designs—auspicious clouds, flowing water patterns…
Wen Ruan twirled in front of the mirror.
In her stunning red ensemble, crowned with a phoenix coronet, she appeared as radiant and dazzling as flames, her heart alight with uncontainable joy and anticipation.
"Crackling pop—"
The sounds of electronic firecrackers, music, and lively chatter filled the air.
In the bridal chamber, the bridesmaids surrounded the bride, their laughter and cheer lifting the atmosphere.
“The groom’s here!” an excited voice called from the living room.
Wen Ruan’s heart raced to its peak, her face flushing with excitement.Thump-thump-thump—
Several bridesmaids and close friends laughed as they rushed out to block the groom and his party at the doorway.
“Hand over the red envelopes! Otherwise, no entry!”
“More, more—this isn’t enough!”
Outside the room, Zhang Ziqi grinned as she announced, “Next up, the second challenge! Each of us will give the groom a task!”
“Start with 20 push-ups!”
“Name five of the bride’s hobbies!”
“What shoe size does Wen Ruan wear?”
“Recite the bride’s phone number backward!”
Sitting on the bed, Wen Ruan repeatedly glanced at the door. Hearing Tang Song’s familiar voice, she could no longer hold back.
She shouted, “Stop bullying my husband! Let him in already!”
The room erupted with laughter, applause, and teasing.
Dressed in a sharp suit, Tang Song pushed his way through the crowd of bridesmaids and friends with the help of his groomsmen, finally opening the door to Wen Ruan’s bedroom.
His gaze landed on his bride.
Sunlight streamed through the window, mingling with the warm glow of overhead lights, illuminating the room in brilliance.
She stood there, a vision in her traditional bridal gown, vibrant as fire, dazzling as the clouds at sunrise.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Everything around them blurred into bokeh, and the bustling noise faded into the background.
It was as if they could hear each other’s heartbeats.
“Ms. Wen, I’m here to marry you,” Tang Song said, extending the bouquet in his hand, his posture upright and gaze steady.
Wen Ruan’s face lit up with a radiant smile. Without hesitation, she stepped down from the bed.
Her elegant dress swayed with her movements, flowing gracefully like the wind.
The two embraced tightly.
The weather was perfect, with a gentle breeze in the air.
Thus began a romantic and grand wedding celebration.
Flowers, red ribbons, flowing drapery, a magnificent stage, fireworks, music…
They exchanged vows, wedding rings, a passionate kiss, received blessings, and toasted the guests…
July 2, 2023, Sunday.
At 6:00 AM, Tang Song woke from a long and vivid dream.
Swoosh— The system interface automatically unfurled before him.
Scenes from the dream instance replayed in his mind, freezing on the most emotional moment from the wedding ceremony.
It was when he approached the bride in her white wedding dress under the spotlight.
Wen Ruan turned her head gently, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Thanks to his Perception skill, Tang Song could clearly sense her emotional fluctuations, which deeply moved him.
He, too, was immersed in the entire wedding experience.
The system interface shimmered with light.
[Companion Dream Instance—Dream Wedding Cleared]
[Performance Evaluation in Progress…]
[Groom (Tang Song): S (Excellent)]
[Bride (Wen Ruan): SSS (Perfect)]
[Special Reward Obtained: Vow Necklace]
[Perfect Score Achieved, Hidden Rewards Unlocked]
[Companion Wen Ruan Gains Hidden Attribute Bonus: +1 Charm (This bonus enhances her appearance, gradually improving skin elasticity and vitality)]
“Holy sh*t!” Tang Song couldn’t help but exclaim.
It’s a Perfect Score!
Tang Song glanced at Wen Ruan lying beside him. In the faint light, he could just make out the slight curve of her lips.
Even though she knew it was a dream, she had fully immersed herself in the wedding experience, giving it her all without reservation.
And the rewards? Absolutely spectacular.
The +1 Charm attribute tailored for skin enhancement hinted that Wen Ruan’s complexion might return to the radiant look of her 25-year-old self.
Tang Song was overjoyed by this. As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of beauty, how could he not anticipate experiencing his beloved “big sister” in her prime?
With the system’s optimization and the added effects of the Vow Necklace, Wen Ruan’s youthful skin coupled with her mature and voluptuous figure would surely leave him awestruck.
Licking his lips, Tang Song opened his Inventory.
Selecting the Vow Necklace, he chose to use it immediately.
In an instant, a delicate, transparent crystal box appeared in his hand. Inside was a necklace.
The necklace gleamed in a pure, elegant platinum hue, its centerpiece diamond sparkling brilliantly like a meteor streaking across the night sky.
In the dim light, the necklace emitted an otherworldly glow. It bore similarities to the Vow Bracelet he had given Su Yu, sharing many of the same luxurious and mysterious design elements.
Tang Song carefully opened the box, took out the necklace, and gently fastened it around Wen Ruan’s neck.
Satisfied, he got out of bed, changed into workout clothes, pulled back the curtains in the living room, and began his disciplined routine.
As he exercised, he felt the full benefit of Metabolism Optimization.
His body brimmed with renewed vitality, his complexion glowed, and even his hair seemed more vibrant.
For most adults, achieving a healthy and efficient metabolic rate required long-term internal regulation, exercise, and relaxation, all of which demanded time and energy.
But with the Companion Blessing Buff, he had skipped the arduous process entirely, enjoying a peak metabolic system instantly.
7:30 AM.
Wen Ruan slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze was unfocused at first, as if caught between the borders of dream and reality.
The warmth of the dream still lingered on her skin, and a sense of joy and contentment lingered in her heart.
As she took in her familiar surroundings, clarity returned to her.
Scenes from the dream flitted through her mind.
Although some details were blurry, the emotions and happiness felt vivid and unmistakable, as if she had truly experienced a perfect, romantic wedding with Tang Song, surrounded by the blessings of all their loved ones.
But a dream was just a dream. Thɪs chapter is updated by N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
While a faint sense of loss and reluctance bubbled in her heart, Wen Ruan’s maturity and rationality quickly helped her adjust.
She sat up in bed and instinctively called out, “Husband!”
Catching herself, she couldn’t help but shake her head and laugh. Clearly, she was still under the spell of the dream.
Just then, her brows furrowed slightly in surprise as she touched her neck and chest.
At some point, an exquisitely crafted necklace had appeared.
Looking down, she glimpsed a faint sparkle of gemstones nestled in her cleavage.
Wen Ruan carefully lifted the necklace and froze.
For a moment, she felt a surreal overlap between dream and reality.
This necklace… it looked exactly like the one she had worn during her wedding in the dream.
The dazzling shine, the interwoven platinum chains, the opulent yet elegant design elements—every detail was identical.
She rubbed her forehead gently and let out a soft laugh.
“How could this be? It’s definitely an illusion.”
As a top graduate in communication studies and someone well-read in psychology, she reasoned this was likely a case of “memory confusion.”
The brain constantly absorbs large amounts of information, some of which is stored subconsciously.
When triggered by specific circumstances or objects, these subconscious memories can resurface. However, due to their hazy nature, they can overlap with dream content, leading to confusion.
Wen Ruan carefully removed the necklace and stared at it for a long time.
As she gazed at it, images of her grand wedding resurfaced in her mind.
“Creak—” The bedroom door opened, allowing bright light to seep in.
Dripping with sweat, Tang Song caught his breath and asked, “Ruan Ruan, you’re awake? I think I heard you calling me from the living room.”
Wen Ruan didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she held up the necklace in her hand and asked, “Did you give this to me?”
“Of course. Do you like it?”
“I love it,” she said with a bright smile.
“Make sure to wear it often,” Tang Song added, grinning. “This necklace carries my blessings—it’ll keep you safe and healthy, my dear wife.”
Hearing him call her “wife,” Wen Ruan’s heart skipped a beat.
She looked into his eyes and suddenly commented, “This necklace’s design is beautiful. It reminds me of the bracelet Su Yu mentioned on her official Weibo post. It’s so elegant.”
Tang Song’s mouth twitched slightly. “Is that so? What a coincidence.”
Wen Ruan chuckled softly, stretching her arms lazily. Her voice, magnetic and teasing, said, “I’ve had enough sleep. Do you want to take a nap?”
At that moment, a system notification seemed to pop up in Tang Song’s mind:
[Your companion is highly impressed with your performance and has invited you to a match. Accept?]
“I’m going to take a shower first!” Tang Song’s voice brimmed with energy. Mornings were the perfect time to be invigorated, and a little activity might distract Wen Ruan from the whole Su Yu bracelet situation.
“That’s unnecessary. I like how you smell,” Wen Ruan interrupted, her tongue grazing her full lips, and she winked playfully with her left eye.
Tang Song took a deep breath before striding forward decisively.
[You’ve unlocked new knowledge about Companion Wen Ruan: Diverging Paths.]
[Reward Obtained: Attack Speed +100, Stamina -100.]
[Your kidneys are rallying: “Please reinforce us!”]
10:00 AM, Yanjing Huating Complex, Building 6.
♪BGM: “I don’t miss you because I’m lonely, I’m lonely because I miss you…”
Zhao Yaqian hummed off-key as she wandered through her lavish walk-in closet in minimal lingerie.
Occasionally, she picked up outfits, holding them against her figure for comparison.
Today, she was meeting Zhang Mengchu, her former vocational training teacher.
Zhao Yaqian had joined Zhuoyue Vocational Training School shortly after graduating high school, thanks to her aunt’s recommendation.
She had completed a three-month course there, where she deeply respected and admired her teacher, eager to acquire a skill to support her family, which was burdened by massive debts. Her seriousness and dedication had earned her excellent results.
Unfortunately, her poor public speaking skills had ultimately led her to join the “Yizi Beauty” industry, which turned out to be less than ideal.
During her time at school, she had formed a close bond with Zhang Mengchu, and they had remained good friends. It had been over six months since they last met, and she was thrilled to reconnect.
Given her family’s financial situation, Zhao Yaqian had never flaunted her true wealth.
Now, at 19, while she understood humility, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction as she prepared to meet her old teacher, now an accomplished beautician.
She slipped on a Chanel camisole dress, spun around a few times in front of the mirror, and snapped a photo.
Sharing it with Tang Song, she captioned: “Today’s outfit—do you like it, Brother Song?”
When Tang Song didn’t reply, Zhao Yaqian tactfully decided not to disturb him further.
She sat on her living room sofa, checked the time, and opened Zhang Mengchu’s chat window to leave a message:
“Teacher Zhang, where shall we have lunch today? What time should I head out?”
Suddenly remembering something, she opened her banking app.
[Total Assets: ¥1,516,200; Yesterday’s Gains: +¥123.]
Her face lit up with delight.
On June 23rd, during the Dragon Boat Festival, her June trust income had been credited on time.
After spending on home decor, luxury purchases, and some retail therapy, her once-flat wallet had been replenished.
Following Xiaoxue’s advice, she had invested ¥1,000,000 into a pure bond fund.
Although the annual yield was only around 3%, watching a small daily return roll in brought her immense satisfaction.
Having moved past the initial phase of indulgence, her lifestyle and mindset had gradually stabilized.
Though she still loved shopping for clothes and cosmetics, she knew it wasn’t something she could do every day.
After leaving her job as a beautician, Zhao Yaqian found herself feeling unexpectedly idle, and a subtle sense of unease crept in.
Her best friends, Ting Ting and Xiaoxue, were always busy and leading fulfilling lives.
Realizing she couldn’t continue being unproductive, she began to understand the deeper intentions behind her boyfriend’s encouragement.
Determined to make a change, she started to immerse herself in the current state, market trends, and future prospects of the beauty industry.
Whenever she encountered something she didn’t understand, she would research or ask questions.
Thanks to her professional background, she was making progress, finally getting a foothold in the field.
At the very least, she could now hold smooth conversations about the industry over WeChat with Zhang Mengchu.
Receiving positive feedback boosted Zhao Yaqian’s motivation, and she grew increasingly invested.
Over the past ten days, she had been diligently studying—though the newfound focus had caused her weight to increase slightly, from 64 kg to 65 kg.
Fortunately, her tall, leggy figure distributed it well enough to maintain her overall appearance.
“Ding-dong—”
The WeChat notification interrupted her thoughts.
[Zhang Teacher: Shimmer Coffee (Morning Star Tower Branch).map]
[Zhang Teacher: "Qianqian, come straight here. Chen Yue showed up at the school this morning to consult me about something, and we’re still talking. Once you arrive, we’ll sit together for a bit and then go for lunch."]
Seeing the message, Zhao Yaqian paused and muttered, “Chen Yue?”
A familiar figure surfaced in her mind.
Chen Yue was a girl from the same training cohort. She was from Hancheng, attractive, and had gotten along well with Zhao Yaqian.
Chen Yue had previously worked at a small- to medium-sized beauty salon, earning a modest income.
Later, after finding a wealthy boyfriend, her life—judging by her social media posts—seemed to transform dramatically, with snapshots of trips, luxury cars, and expensive gifts.
As time passed, their relationship grew distant, and they hadn’t been in touch for a long while.
Shaking off the memory, Zhao Yaqian replied:
“Got it, Teacher Zhang. I’ll head over now. See you soon.”
She then sent a message to Lin Muxue:
“Xiaoxue, haven’t decided on the lunch spot yet. You stay busy; I’ll let you know later.”
After putting her phone away, she grabbed her beloved Hermès handbag and stood by the entryway, debating between shoes.
In the end, she chose a pair of Dior low-heeled sandals with sparkling rhinestones.
The Morning Star Tower branch of Shimmer Coffee was bathed in soft sunlight streaming through massive glass windows, illuminating every corner of the shop.
Stepping inside, the rich aroma of coffee enveloped her senses.
The café was simple yet cozy, with art pieces adorning the walls.
Wooden tables and chairs, paired with plush cushions, exuded a warm, natural charm.
Being a weekend, the office workers who usually populated the building were mostly off, leaving the café relatively quiet.
“Teacher Zhang, have a seat!” Chen Yue gestured with a smile.
“Sorry for keeping you for over an hour. What would you like to drink? I’ll place the order.”
Zhang Mengchu chuckled lightly and shook her head.
“It’s no trouble. I just finished wrapping up a class yesterday, so I’m on break now. I’ll have a mocha, thanks.”
“Sure, I’ll get it.”
After a short while, Chen Yue returned with a cream-colored tray, carrying two desserts and two coffees.
“My high school classmate is studying at Yan City Normal University nearby. She’s about to go on summer break and is currently working here as a pastry chef. Try her creations,” Chen Yue said, placing a mocha and a slice of red velvet cake in front of Zhang Mengchu.
“Thank you.” Zhang Mengchu looked at the beautifully plated cake, took a bite, and her eyes lit up.
“This is excellent! Better than what I’ve had from professional bakeries, and the ingredients are top-notch.”
Her vocational training school was also nearby, within the university district.
Shimmer Coffee mainly catered to the surrounding office buildings and schools.
Admiring the stylish and inviting environment, Zhang Mengchu remarked, “You’ve sold me on this place. I’ll be coming here often!”
Chen Yue grinned. “My classmate has always loved baking. Her dream was to open her own cake shop someday.”
They chatted briefly about the ambiance before Chen Yue abruptly asked, “Teacher Zhang, how much do you make as a trainer at Zhuoyue each month?”
Caught off guard, Zhang Mengchu hesitated but answered truthfully, “Not much, around ¥7,000. It’s mostly for the stability.”
“I’ve mentioned before that I want to open a beauty salon. I’m very serious about it,” Chen Yue said after taking a sip of coffee. “Teacher Zhang, you’re so talented. Have you ever considered starting your own business and being your own boss?”
“Are you suggesting we go into business together?”
“Exactly.” Lowering her voice, Chen Yue continued, “You told me earlier that opening a small beauty salon requires about ¥200,000 to ¥400,000. I already have ¥300,000.”
“Where did you get that much money?” Zhang Mengchu asked before quickly realizing, then exclaimed, “Your boyfriend?”
She knew a bit about Chen Yue’s situation—20 years old, a high school graduate of two years, from an average family.
The only significant change in her life had been meeting a wealthy boyfriend during her time at the beauty salon.
“Well, sort of,” Chen Yue admitted, her gaze flickering as she fell silent for a moment before sighing. “He’s not exactly my boyfriend. Our relationship is… complicated.
He was a client at the beauty salon where I worked. Over time, we grew close.
“Starting late last year, I was with him for eight months. When we broke up, he gave me ¥200,000. With what I’d saved before, that’s how I got this much.”
Zhang Mengchu frowned as she looked at the well-dressed Chen Yue across the table, carrying an LV bag.
She said directly, “You knew this was how it would end from the start, didn’t you?”
A fleeting expression of sadness and pain crossed Chen Yue’s face. Clenching her fists tightly, she raised her head with a forced smile.
“Yeah, I suppose so. But I think it was worth it.”
In those eight months of being “kept,” she had acquired many things she’d dreamed of.
An iPhone, luxury cosmetics, designer goods…
She had stayed in five-star hotels, dined at Michelin restaurants, and ridden in a Mercedes.
And in the end, she walked away with enough money to potentially change her life.
“Well, alright.” Zhang Mengchu sighed, deciding not to say more. She had been in the workforce for ten years and had seen plenty of similar situations.
“Ding-dong—”
The phone on the table buzzed, interrupting their conversation. Zhang Mengchu glanced at the screen and said, “Qianqian’s almost here. You two can catch up when she arrives. Recently, she’s been asking me a lot about the beauty industry’s market and prospects.”
“Oh? Why is she interested in that?” Chen Yue asked.
Zhang Mengchu gave a knowing smile and replied, “I don’t know, and I didn’t ask.”
Chen Yue chuckled. “Since when did Qianqian care about this stuff? Did some motivational short video inspire her? Don’t tell me she wants to start her own beauty business! Haha!”
During their training days, they had shared a dorm room, and Chen Yue felt she knew Zhao Yaqian well.
She was simple-minded, easily trusting, and a poor debater—if she lost an argument, she’d bury her head in her pillow and cry. A bit of a “sweet but naive” personality.
Zhang Mengchu gave her a meaningful look and said, “I think she’s very motivated now. She’s been studying hard, and that’s a good thing.”
“Fine, Teacher Zhang, I won’t argue with you,” Chen Yue replied, averting her eyes and returning to her red velvet cake.
At that moment, soft footsteps approached.
A clear female voice rang out:
“Yueyue, here are some cake trimmings I cut off while baking. You can have them for free.”
Chen Yue looked up to see her high school classmate Qian Lele walking over.
Dressed in a coffee-colored work uniform and barefaced, she still looked lovely.
Chen Yue quickly stood, accepting the plate of cake strips with a smile. “Thank you, Lele.”
During the brief exchange, she couldn’t help but notice how rough Qian Lele’s hands felt.
The two chatted briefly before Qian Lele returned to work.
As Chen Yue stared at the plate of leftover cake trimmings, a mix of emotions flooded her heart.
People make different choices, and naturally, their futures diverge.
Take Qian Lele, for example. Her father was paralyzed, and her mother was frail. While studying in college, she worked part-time to earn money. During summer vacations, she worked full-time at Shimmer Coffee, covering her tuition, living expenses, and even sending money home.
She never rested, not even for a moment. Anyone observing her life would feel exhausted on her behalf.
These cake trimmings were likely a rare treat for her, something she valued enough to share with others.
Chen Yue didn’t want to live like that—constantly tired, constantly struggling.
She wanted comfort and ease in her life.
That was why, after much deliberation, she had accepted the offer from Mr. Guo, becoming his temporary mistress.
When he had enough of her, she sensibly ended the relationship and received a “severance payment” for her troubles.
As Qian Lele waved and walked away with a smile, the sound of clicking heels grew louder.
A strikingly elegant figure approached the table, lighting up the entire café.
“Long time no see, Teacher Zhang, Yueyue,” Zhao Yaqian greeted with a radiant smile.
Startled, Qian Lele instinctively slid aside to make room, lowering her head in self-consciousness as she took in the glamorous woman before her.
Both Chen Yue and Zhang Mengchu froze in surprise.
“Qianqian?!”
“You… this…”
Though Zhao Yaqian’s figure and facial features hadn’t changed, her aura and presence were worlds apart from what they remembered.
Gone was the slightly awkward and carefree Qianqian from before.
Dressed in high-end fashion, with a meticulously applied makeup look, a sophisticated fragrance, and a polished demeanor—she exuded an undeniable air of luxury.
When Chen Yue’s gaze finally settled on the handbag Zhao Yaqian was carrying, her eyelid twitched involuntarily.
An Hermès Birkin?!