novelraw Chapter 334: Radiance
Chapter 334: Radiance
Standing inside the VIP suite, Lin Muxue's gaze flickered slightly as she carefully observed the girl who had just changed into her dress.
Her features were well-defined and harmonious—big, clear eyes, a delicate nose, and plump lips. Though her figure wasn’t as pronounced as Qianqian or Wen Ruan’s, it was still very good. Of course, it was just a tiny bit inferior to Lin Muxue’s own, as she made sure to maintain her shape and appearance daily.
Her demeanor, however, was pure and timid, laced with unease. Combined with the simple outfit she had arrived in, Lin Muxue immediately formed a guess: this was likely a small-town girl who hadn’t seen much of the world. She might even still be a student.
The girl’s demeanor reminded Lin Muxue of herself back in high school—not in appearance, but in temperament and expression. That innocence, nervousness, self-doubt, and awkwardness…
But Lin Muxue hadn’t been as lucky as this girl. At that age and stage, she hadn’t encountered someone like Tang Song.
With a few silent sighs, Lin Muxue's momentary unease finally dissipated.
Compared to difficult women like Wen Ruan, this girl was no threat at all. There wasn’t even a need to probe her intentions—her thoughts were plain as day.
Lin Muxue stepped forward and said softly, “I’ve got a good eye, haven’t I? Doesn’t this dress suit you perfectly?”
“It’s beautiful,” Tang Song agreed, his gaze lingering on the dazed Qian Lele. Pointing to her sneakers, he added with a smile, “Why didn’t you change your shoes? Everything in the changing room was prepared for you.”
Feeling the soft, delicate fabric of the dress against her skin, Lele glanced nervously at the people around her and murmured, “I didn’t know…”Mainly, she hesitated because the shoes looked brand new, and she was afraid of getting them dirty.
“Don’t worry, Lele. Go ahead and try them on,” Tang Song said with a wink. “If they fit, you can change into the treatment clothes for a bath. Afterward, the staff will give you a full-body treatment.” He smiled gently and added, “The upcoming occasion is a bit special, so I won’t stay here.”
“Xiaoxue, I’ll leave her to you. Take good care of her.”
Lin Muxue nodded quietly. “Understood.”
Lele stammered, “It’s really not necessary, Brother Song. A quick bath is enough, and these clothes—”
Tang Song raised his hand to cut her off and walked closer, stopping in front of her.
Looking into her eyes, he spoke gently, “Don’t overthink this. I’m just helping you fulfill the wish you made yesterday. Consider it my parting gift to thank you for looking after me these past weeks.
To me, these expenses don’t matter much. You want to wear a beautiful dress, show up confidently at your classmate’s birthday party, and sincerely wish her well, don’t you?”
Lele’s lips quivered slightly as her gaze turned hazy.
She was just an ordinary small-town girl, albeit with slightly above-average looks.
Of course, she had her own desires, dreams, and plans. Sometimes, she even harbored little “impure” thoughts she didn’t dare confront—like wanting to impress her classmates or dreaming of being transformed like Cinderella in a fairytale.
But she was sensible and grounded in reality, with principles she adhered to.
After a moment, Lele raised her head, glanced at Tang Song, and silently nodded.
“Thank you, Brother Song.”
“Alright then, I’ll take my leave for now. See you later,” Tang Song said, striding out of the room.
The door closed behind him, and the suite buzzed with activity under Lin Muxue’s direction.
In the luxurious private bathroom, the water temperature was just right, and various high-end cleaning and care products were prepared.
After enjoying a comfortable hot bath, Lele was handed a cup of health tea by a beauty consultant, which she sipped slowly.
Following Lin Muxue’s instructions, she lay awkwardly on a beauty bed.
In an instant, four beauticians surrounded her.
Facial cleansing and care, foot treatments, hand care, body exfoliation, massages, and conditioning—
Soft aromas filled the air as professional hands worked with high-end skincare products and advanced equipment.
Initially tense and stiff, Lele gradually began to relax. Even so, her tightly shut eyes fluttered slightly, her long, thick lashes trembling like butterfly wings. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
Outside, the sky grew darker and darker.
Lele wasn’t sure when she drifted off to sleep, but she was jolted awake by a familiar ringtone.
“That’s my phone,” she whispered nervously, not daring to move.
The beauticians paused immediately, and the beauty consultant handed her the phone.
Lele quickly answered the call. “Hello? Yaoyao, what’s up?”
“Oh my gosh, I sent you so many messages, and you didn’t reply! I thought you were going to back out at the last minute!”
“No, no, I was busy earlier.”
“Alright then. I’ve already sent the party itinerary to the group chat—take a look if you get the chance. When you arrive, let me know in advance. The villa is a bit tricky to enter, but I’ll arrange for someone at the west gate to guide you in.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks, Yaoyao.”
Suddenly, Ding Yao chuckled mischievously. “By the way, Lele, is your male housemate coming too?”
“…Yes,” Lele replied in an almost inaudible voice.
“Great! I’m super curious about him. Alright, I’ll stop bugging you now. I need to go check the venue setup for any last-minute issues. We’ll chat more when you get here. Bye-bye!”
“Bye-bye.”
Ending the call, Lele opened the “Ding Yao’s Birthday Party” group chat.
There were 19 people in the group, many of whom she had seen before but never interacted with or added on WeChat.
The group atmosphere was lively, with people constantly sending random red packets. Whoever got the luckiest draw from the last round had to send the next one.
Each red packet was typically around 1,000 yuan.
Naturally, Lele didn’t participate in these games—her account balance was only 600 yuan.
Scrolling up, she saw photos Ding Yao had shared of the birthday venue and the planned activities.
Handing Luxury Villas was a low-density high-end villa community near Yan City's third ring road. Developed last year by the well-known Huan Ding Real Estate Development Co., it featured single-family villas with private gardens.
The community boasted excellent surroundings, but due to its remote location, lack of facilities, and the overall market downturn, occupancy rates were low.
The developer had repurposed several villas near the west side into party venues and private clubs, both to generate income and showcase the neighborhood’s environment.
With convenient, congestion-free access from the third ring road, the venues had decent business.
Inside Villa 4.
Vivid, colorful light strips illuminated the room. A giant pink balloon arch towered above, surrounded by layers of cascading confetti.
Crystal bead curtains hung elegantly from the ceiling.
The space was adorned with a grand multi-tiered birthday cake, a buffet table loaded with delicacies, and dainty fruit towers.
It was a sight straight out of a fairytale—a dreamy, opulent palace.
Ding Yao hung up her phone and gestured to a nearby staff member. “Turn on the music and liven up the atmosphere.”
The staff member made a quick call to the venue manager before returning with a cheerful smile. “Right away! By the way, Ding Yao, happy birthday! May you stay forever eighteen!”
“Oh?” Ding Yao raised an eyebrow, giving the staffer an appraising look. “Are you… one of Lele’s dormmates?”
Since the girls’ dorms weren’t in the same building, and Lele often left early and returned late, Ding Yao rarely visited her dorm. Still, she vaguely remembered someone like this.
“Yes! I’m Lele’s dormmate, Duan Fang,” the girl replied enthusiastically. “We used to work part-time at the coffee shop together. I only started working here at the party villa during the summer.”
Hearing that Duan Fang was Lele’s dormmate, Ding Yao’s demeanor instantly turned friendlier. “Thanks, Fangfang! Since you’re working here, why don’t you join us for my birthday party?”
“Uh… wouldn’t that be a bit inappropriate?” Duan Fang’s eyes lit up with excitement.
She had long envied Qian Lele for having a wealthy second-generation friend like Ding Yao but had never had the opportunity to get close. Today, however, was shaping up to be the perfect chance. If she could become good friends with Ding Yao like Lele, there was no doubt she’d benefit greatly in the future.
Ding Yao shook her head with a smile. “It’s fine. I’ll just have a word with your boss and say you’re here to join us. Treat it as hanging out with us for fun.”
In fact, Ding Yao was somewhat worried that Lele might feel out of place at the party. Having a dormmate around might make things easier for her.
“Thank you so much, Yaoyao!” Duan Fang beamed with joy.
Things were going even smoother than she had imagined. She had assumed that wealthy second-generation types like Ding Yao would be hard to approach, but Ding Yao was unexpectedly warm and accommodating. She didn’t even show a hint of looking down on her.
She knew Qian Lele’s personality well enough—if she acted friendly enough, Lele certainly wouldn’t say anything bad about her.
At Isha Beauty Salon.
The makeup artist put down her tools and said softly, “All done. Please take a look and let me know if there’s anything you’d like adjusted.”
Qian Lele slowly opened her eyes and gazed at her reflection in the mirror.
Her silky, slightly wavy hair framed her face beautifully. Her eyebrows were perfectly shaped and refined, the eyeshadow subtly shaded, her skin appeared fresh and radiant, and her lips glowed with a hint of gloss.
She looked like a dream—unreal, almost magical.
In a low voice, she replied, “No adjustments needed. Thank you.”
“You’re too kind. We’ll take our leave now. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Once the makeup artists left, the room fell silent.
Suddenly, a cape and an exquisite gift box appeared before her.
Lin Muxue smiled warmly. “Lele, let me help you put on this necklace.”
Lele nervously replied, “Thank you, Sister Xiaoxue.”
“You’re welcome.” Lin Muxue opened the gift box, revealing the Chanel double-C necklace she had personally chosen. With practiced hands, she clasped it gently around Lele’s neck.
She then picked up the cape and gave Lele a few simple instructions.
Lele, quick to learn, soon mastered the proper way to wear it.
“There’s a full-length mirror over there. Take a look at the overall effect. I’ll step out for a bit,” Lin Muxue said as she patted Lele’s shoulder and walked out of the room.
In the spacious VIP suite, Lele was left all alone.
“Tap, tap, tap—” The sound of her footsteps echoed as she walked.
It was her first time wearing high heels, and she wasn’t used to them, so her steps were slow and cautious.
She stood before the full-length mirror and stared at the reflection of someone both familiar and unfamiliar.
Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.
No girl is immune to the allure of beauty, and Qian Lele was no exception.
This was her first time receiving a full-body treatment, her first time wearing makeup, and her first time donning such a glamorous dress.
The emotions swirling in her heart were indescribable, as if she had truly been transformed from a Cinderella into a princess.
Except the one who helped her wasn’t a fairy godmother—it was Tang Song.
The door to the suite creaked open.
Sensing someone enter, Lele quickly turned around.
The hem of her dress twirled lightly, her hair swaying with the motion.
“Brother Song!” she exclaimed softly, her gaze shy as she looked at him.
Tang Song gave her a once-over, then smiled with satisfaction. “You look stunning. It’s about time to head to your classmate’s birthday party. Let’s go.”
Lele responded with a quiet “Mm” and followed Tang Song out.
A few minutes later, the white Bentley merged into traffic, heading toward the villa party venue.
As the clock approached 7 PM.
In the spacious first-floor living room of the villa, seven or eight people had already gathered. These were Ding Yao’s close friends, forming a small circle of local wealthy second-generation youth.
Some sat while others stood, laughing and joking with one another. The atmosphere was lively and buzzing.
Watching Ding Yao, who was busy typing on her phone, Zhang Haoyu asked with concern, “Has Qian Lele left yet?”
“She’ll be here in about 10 minutes,” Ding Yao replied with a smile. “Too bad, Haoyu. She’s bringing a male companion with her. Looks like their relationship isn’t just ordinary. I’m afraid your chances don’t look good.”
The others burst into laughter and began teasing.
“Haoyu was even planning to go pick her up himself. Haha, clown moment!”
“Zhang Haoyu, maybe you should consider dating me instead. I’m way easier to win over.”
Zhang Haoyu shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, they’re not official yet. Who’s to say I don’t still have a shot?”
Ding Yao playfully knocked on his forehead. “It’s my birthday today, so don’t cause any trouble!”
Haoyu swatted her hand away with a look of exasperation. “Don’t worry. I’m a man of principles. I’ll woo her with my charm, and if I fail, I’ll just chalk it up to not being good enough.”
As a well-off young man, Haoyu was never short of attractive girls around him.
He’d even had a girlfriend during his university days. With Ding Yao’s encouragement and his growing interactions with Lele, he did genuinely like her and wanted to see if they could develop a spark.
But it wasn’t as though he was obsessively infatuated or determined to win her at all costs.
Ding Yao rolled her eyes at him. “As long as you know what you’re doing.”
Sitting nearby, Du Jiao’s face darkened slightly.
She was Ding Yao’s university classmate and a member of the entrepreneurship and innovation club at Normal University.
Seeing the guy she liked chasing after “Cinderella” Qian Lele while completely ignoring her made her feel deeply dejected. It was as if her own charm had been denied outright.
Zhang Haoyu shrugged again and suddenly smirked. “By the way, I have some exciting news. My sister is also at Handing Villas tonight.”
“What the heck! Sister Lili’s here? Where?”
“Is she here for Yaoyao’s birthday party?”
The small group immediately erupted with excitement.
Zhang Haoyu’s sister, Zhang Lili, was a highly renowned figure within their social circle.
A true academic overachiever, she had earned her master’s degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s elite financial program.
She had worked at a top-tier foreign investment bank before returning to Yan City last year to further her career.
Now, she was considered a true financial expert and social elite, admired even by the older generation.
Ding Yao’s face lit up with excitement as she shook Zhang Haoyu’s shoulders. “Where’s Sister Lili? Why haven’t I seen her yet?”
“Stop, stop, stop!” Zhang Haoyu quickly halted her enthusiastic shaking and replied smugly, “She’s not here with us. She’s over at the business lounge in Building 10. She was personally invited by Xie Yue from Handing Group.”
“Xie Yue! Young Master Xie?”
“Who’s that? I’ve never heard of him.”
Mingling quietly in the crowd, Duan Fang widened her eyes in astonishment and exclaimed, “Isn’t Handing Group the developer of this villa community?”
After joining the villa party venue, she had learned that the entire operation was under the management of Handing Group’s property company. She was well aware of how massive this enterprise was.
A young man with a buzz cut explained, “Xie Yue is the son of Xie Donghan, the owner of Handing Group. He’s already the vice president of the company. I met him once while tagging along with my dad.”
Ding Yao’s eyes lit up with hope. “Why is Young Master Xie meeting with Sister Lili? Is it about work? Do you think Sister Lili could come over for just a bit? She wouldn’t have to stay long—just enough to have a piece of cake.”
Ding Yao had known Zhang Lili since childhood due to their families’ close ties and deeply admired her.
“It’s definitely about work,” Zhang Haoyu said, shrugging. “From what my sister said, it’s related to the short drama filming base outside the third ring road. Probably an investment matter. Not something we’d understand. Whether or not she can come, I’m not sure. You can text her and ask. If she’s not too busy, she might swing by.”
The group immediately erupted into a spirited discussion about “Xie Yue” and “Zhang Lili.”
Although they were all wealthy second-generation kids, the level of power and influence wielded by Xie Yue and Handing Group was far beyond their reach.
Listening to their chatter, Duan Fang shrank slightly into the corner, feeling both exhilarated and intimidated.
She was just an ordinary college student from a poor family and could never dream of interacting with people of this caliber.
Suddenly, the sound of a phone ringing broke through the conversation.
Ding Yao glanced at the phone on the table and quickly picked it up. “Hello, Lele? Where are you now?”
“Oh, oh, just tell the property staff your name. I’ve already informed them.”
“Alright, see you soon. Bye!”
Hanging up, Ding Yao stood up cheerfully and said to Duan Fang, “Lele is almost here. Let’s go greet her. She’s a bit shy, so chat with her a bit to help ease her nerves.”
“Got it,” Duan Fang replied quickly, hurrying to follow.
“Haoyu, your girl is here. Aren’t you going to greet her?” the buzz-cut guy teased, nudging Zhang Haoyu with a grin.
“Yeah, didn’t you say you’d charm her with your natural charisma? Go on, challenge her male companion to a showdown!”
“Come on, I’ll be the referee. Let’s see who’s got more charm!”
The group burst into laughter, shoving and nudging Zhang Haoyu playfully.
Finally, Zhang Haoyu gave in and decided to go along with them. He wasn’t worried—after all, he’d seen Lele’s male housemate before.
The sky outside had completely darkened.
The multicolored indoor lights spilled through the large glass windows, casting vibrant reflections.
A refreshing breeze carried the clean scent of rain, filling the air with a sense of renewal.
A fashionable girl asked curiously, “I haven’t met this Lele yet. Seeing how obsessed Haoyu is, she must be really pretty, right?”
Zhang Haoyu, channeling Liu Xuan’s exaggerated expression from The Mermaid, shouted dramatically, “It’s not about being pretty. She’s one of those rare kinds—incredibly rare!”
“Pfft—”
The friends burst into laughter at his theatrical antics.
“Alright, enough joking around. Lele is almost here. Let’s not embarrass her.”
“Okay, okay! It’s your birthday; we’ll listen to you today.”
As their laughter subsided, a beam of bright, dazzling light suddenly swept across the yard, illuminating it entirely.
Everyone turned their heads toward the source of the light.
A white car slowly drove through the villa gates, its sleek and elegant lines exuding luxury and grandeur.
The pristine white paint glowed coldly under the night sky, emanating a refined aura.
“Holy crap, is that a Bentley Continental GT? That’s my dream car! Whose is it?”
“A car like that costs over 3 million. Who has this kind of money? And it’s got a Shanghai license plate!”
“Yaoyao, is this one of your friends?”
…
Ding Yao shook her head, equally baffled. “I only invited you guys and a few college classmates. I don’t know anyone who drives a Bentley.”
The car wheels rolled smoothly over the damp ground, producing a soft, low rustling sound.
The vehicle came to a gentle stop at a parking spot near the gate.
The engine’s roar gradually quieted.
A moment later, the passenger door opened softly.
A tall, graceful figure stepped out.
She wore a simple yet elegant V-neck dress that clung to her flowing curves, the hem swaying slightly with a velvet-like sheen.
Draped casually over her shoulders was a Chanel cape, like a delicate cloud resting lightly on her frame.
Her striking features were complemented by refined, understated makeup. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, the tips curling slightly with a languid charm.
She stood quietly in the night, her gaze lowered slightly, yet she seemed to glow—radiant and dazzling.
The smile on Duan Fang’s face froze instantly. She blurted out, “Qian Lele!?”
“Lele?” Ding Yao’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The surrounding crowd broke into murmurs.
“She’s Qian Lele? Wow, she’s stunning! No wonder Haoyu likes her.”
“No, this… She looks so different from before. And that Bentley…”
“That dress she’s wearing is from Chanel’s summer collection. It costs over 40,000 yuan.”
As if she were a rose in the wind, Qian Lele captivated everyone’s gaze.
Zhang Haoyu’s expression turned awestruck, and his feet instinctively took a step forward.
But before he could approach, the driver’s door opened with a crisp click.
A tall, broad-shouldered man in a dark suit stepped out, casually shutting the car door behind him.
With calm and deliberate strides, he approached Lele’s side.
His composed gaze swept toward the villa entrance.
Several of the girls felt their hearts race in an instant.
His refined features, commanding stature, and aura were nothing short of extraordinary—poised and elegant as jade.
The cool night breeze tousled his jet-black hair, which swept across his deep eyes, giving him an ethereal, restrained charm.
He was utterly exceptional.
Standing quietly beside Qian Lele, he naturally drew all attention to himself.
Zhang Haoyu stared blankly at the scene, the teasing smile fading from his face as his steps faltered.
Nearby, Du Jiao’s eyelids twitched as her gaze burned with intensity. Her eyes locked onto the man standing next to Qian Lele, filled with fascination and longing.
He was, without a doubt, the most attractive man she had ever seen in real life—his looks and aura perfectly aligned with her ideal.
The way he stepped out of the Bentley Continental seemed like a male lead walking straight out of a novel, surrounded by an air of dreamy allure.
Qian Lele looked up, her lips curling shyly as she greeted softly, “Good evening, Yaoyao.”
Earlier, being the center of attention had made her feel incredibly nervous, but Tang Song’s presence had instantly put her at ease.
Her mood relaxed completely.
“Good evening, Lele. You’re…” Ding Yao took a deep breath and looked up at the man beside her. “Is this the friend you mentioned?”
Goodness! A Bentley-driving heartthrob!
Lele, I thought you were an innocent little lamb. Turns out you were hiding this all along!
If we weren’t such good friends, I’d be absolutely green with jealousy right now!
Lele nodded slightly, her cheeks tinged with red.
Tang Song offered a faint smile and introduced himself politely, “Hello, I’m Tang Song.”
“Hello… I’m Ding Yao. Welcome to my birthday party.”
“Happy birthday.” Tang Song smiled as he handed over a gift box.
“Thank you!” Ding Yao accepted it with both hands, flustered and surprised.
Lele also passed over her gift. “Happy birthday, Yaoyao.”
“Thank you, Lele.” Ding Yao quickly gestured toward the villa. “Come on in! Let’s eat and chat inside.”
“Mm.” Lele nodded and followed Tang Song toward the entrance.
Noticing Duan Fang in the crowd, Lele paused briefly but didn’t stop.
As Lele passed by, Duan Fang could feel the overwhelming aura of “wealth” radiating from her.
Her expression darkened as her thoughts raced, her gaze flickering with disbelief.
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t fathom how her college classmate had transformed so drastically.
Then there was the man beside her—and the Bentley.
A sudden, strong intuition told her that Qian Lele was about to rise to prominence.
Had she not already damaged their relationship, she would’ve enthusiastically approached Lele and clung tightly to this golden opportunity.
If she succeeded, she could easily ride Lele’s coattails to success.
But now, it was far too late for that.
Jealousy and regret surged in her heart.