novelraw Chapter 349: Returning in Glory
Chapter 349: Returning in Glory
“Goodbye!”
“Goodbye, Brother Tang Song.”
With her hands clasped behind her back, Tian Jing rose on her tiptoes and planted a light kiss on Tang Song’s lips before skipping toward the entrance of her apartment building.
Tang Song lingered outside for a moment, watching her figure disappear through the door before turning and heading back to his car.
Sliding into the driver’s seat of the Mercedes, the faint scent of Tian Jing’s perfume still lingered.
Scenes from earlier replayed in his mind:
Her sweet and charming face, her full and proud chest, the playful expressions she made.
Tian Jing exuded the qualities of a quintessential 2D anime girl—delicate and vibrant. Her skin, soft and smooth like jelly, bore no imperfections. Her legs, slender and graceful with a touch of visible bone structure, were captivating to the point of obsession.
He couldn’t forget her trembling body, teary eyes, and the way she earnestly admitted her mistakes during her "punishment." A strange feeling seemed to take root in Tang Song’s heart, slowly growing.
The car’s bright headlights illuminated the road ahead as the Mercedes S-Class glided out of the neighborhood and entered the underground parking lot of Yanjing Tiancheng.At home, after a shower and some preparation for tomorrow’s trip, Tang Song reclined on his bed and checked his phone.
Several unread messages waited, including a goodnight text with angel emojis from a few acquaintances and a voice message from his mother.
Click.
“Son, will you be home before noon tomorrow? It rained today, so be careful on the road,” came his mother’s familiar and warm voice.
Tang Song smiled as he replied, “I’ll be home before noon, Mom. Don’t worry, I’ll drive carefully.”
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
Mom: “Good, let me know when you’re almost here. I’ll be at the shop during the day. By the way, is there anything specific you’d like to eat?”
After a chat filled with casual family updates, Tang Song felt a wave of nostalgia.
The last time he visited home was in March. At the time, he had just become a full-time employee at Jinxiu Commerce and had successfully developed the updated SCM (Supply Chain Management) system. His superiors had promised a promotion and a raise.
With life in Yan City gradually stabilizing, he returned home to visit his parents and update them about his progress.
He vividly remembered his mother pulling him aside into the house and excitedly showing him a flyer for a new housing development near the southern loop of the county. The apartments were priced at 5,000 yuan per square meter, requiring a 150,000 yuan down payment. It was a great deal: a school-district property with a prime location and good amenities.
However, they had recently paid off their debts and couldn’t afford such an expense. The mix of longing, guilt, and helplessness in his mother’s eyes still lingered in his memory.
Now, as he sat in his luxurious apartment, reflecting on his current wealth and success, Tang Song exhaled deeply, a swirl of emotions washing over him.
Suddenly, a crisp system notification broke the silence.
“Ding! You have triggered the challenge quest [Parental Recognition]. Please check the mission center for details.”
Tang Song was momentarily stunned but quickly opened the system interface to view the task details.
[Mission Details]:
You, who now have a stable career, also long for your family’s recognition of your abilities, achievements, and future prospects. Earn inner fulfillment, strengthen familial bonds, and establish greater self-confidence. During this journey home, strive to showcase your progress and earn your parents’ approval.
[Mission Reward]: Random Gift Pack x1
Note: The higher the parental recognition, the better the reward.
Tang Song’s lips curled into a smile.
For everyone, parents are the closest people in life, providing an unparalleled sense of belonging.
With the system’s help, he had come so far, yet he deeply yearned for his parents’ acknowledgment. Perhaps this was an inevitable part of personal growth and self-fulfillment.
Ding-dong.
Mom: “It’s almost 10 PM. Rest early, son. See you tomorrow.”
Tang Song chuckled softly as he replied, “Got it. Love you, Mom. See you tomorrow!”
Closing the chat window, he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, before a sudden idea struck him. Original content can be found at n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
He downloaded a novel app and opened the book Hu Jingjing had recommended, starting from Chapter One.
Back in high school, he had been a huge fan of online novels. Though phones were prohibited at school, students traded physical books amongst themselves. However, when senior year arrived, he had set aside his hobby to focus on his studies.
Beicheng Garden Residential Complex.
The sound of fingers tapping on a keyboard filled the room.
Xu Yanqing’s fair face glowed faintly in the light, like a lily blooming under the moon. Her long, elegant hair cascaded over her shoulders as her bright, starry eyes gazed calmly at her cousin sitting across from her.
“Yanqing, you can rest assured. I won’t meet with Tang Song again,” Xu Jiali said softly, lowering her head as a faint mist clouded her eyes. “I didn’t know about your relationship. I’m sorry.”
Xu Jiali had never expected Tang Song’s girlfriend to be Xu Yanqing.
As a distant relative who had graduated from a prestigious university, Xu Yanqing had always been the “perfect child” in the family. Whether in looks or ability, she excelled beyond comparison.
Next to her, Xu Jiali felt like a faded shadow. She was no longer young and had long since outgrown her dreams. It was time to move on.
“Ah-choo! Ah-choo! Ah-choo!”
A string of delicate sneezes broke the quiet atmosphere.
Xu Yanqing rubbed her small nose and muttered to herself, “Who’s gossiping about me? Hmph!”
Stretching her wrists, which ached from prolonged typing, Xu Yanqing leaned back and yawned.
Recently, she’d been struck by a surge of creativity and had built up a decent backlog of ideas. Her plan was to carve out a week to write a complete short drama script and submit it to the company’s production team, hoping it might get picked up.
Ding-dong.
Xu Yanqing glanced at her phone. It was a notification from her alternate WeChat account.
Little Jing: “Yanqing, my dream finally came true today!”
Xu Yanqing’s eyes widened as she replied quickly: “What happened?”
Little Jing: “I played some tricks to successfully provoke my boyfriend, and he punished me in the car. My butt still hurts!”
Little Jing: “I even snuck a peek—it’s red!”
Xu Yanqing gasped, her lips parting slightly. “Little Jing, you perv! You…!”
Tang Song had punished her like that twice before. If Little Jing somehow turned him into a habitual disciplinarian, she might suffer too!
Shuddering at the mental image of Tang Song pressing her onto a car seat for punishment, Xu Yanqing vowed to tread carefully, avoiding any reason for him to discipline her.
Xu Yanqing: “Little Jing, that’s wrong! You should respect your boyfriend’s preferences!”
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
Little Jing: “(・ω・) My boyfriend is so strong, and it hurt so much. When I lifted his shirt earlier, I felt his abs—they’re amazing!”
Little Jing: [Screenshot.jpg]
Xu Yanqing’s face flushed instantly at the sight of the screenshot from one of Little Jing and Tang Song’s video calls.
Just as she was about to zoom in, the message vanished.
“Little Jing has withdrawn a message.”
Where’s my screenshot?! Where is it?!
Xu Yanqing fumed, her frustration leaving her sleepless. Her night was ruined.
August 5, 2023. Saturday. Overcast, 25~33°C.
As the bank deposit notification chimed on his phone, Tang Song sprang from his bed, invigorated.
After a brisk morning workout consisting of jogging, jump rope, and fat-burning routines, his Unlimited Vigor outfit was soaked, though its enhanced breathability left him feeling refreshed.
After a meticulous shower, Tang Song stood naked before the mirror, admiring his toned, athletic physique.
A surge of pride welled within him. While system tools had certainly helped, his dedication and discipline played a significant role.
Seeing his transformation from his high school days to now filled him with an unmatched sense of achievement.
Now dressed and ready, he walked into his wardrobe, his heart full of anticipation for the day ahead.
Tang Song selected his outfit with care, opting for a casual yet tasteful ensemble: a loose, simple white T-shirt, light blue slim-fit jeans that weren’t overly tight, and white sneakers. It mirrored his previous style but with improved attention to cut and color coordination, ensuring his parents wouldn’t feel he had changed too much.
At 8 AM, with his belongings packed, Tang Song drove out of Yanjing Tiancheng in his Mercedes S450L.
He chose this car for two reasons: its spacious comfort allowed for carrying more items, and it was less conspicuous than his Bentley Continental GT. Excessive displays of wealth could be counterproductive, even if he wanted to show his success.
His hometown was just over 100 kilometers south of Yan City, located in a small county beneath Quancheng. A two-hour drive would easily get him there, which was one of the reasons he had chosen to relocate to Yan City from the capital.
The morning sky was overcast as the small-town streets grew busier. Shops along the roadside began opening, filling the air with the clamor of vendors calling out, honking horns, and the chatter of locals. A mix of pedestrians, three-wheelers, electric scooters, and compact cars moved at a leisurely pace.
In the corner of a nondescript street, Jianying Hardware Store occupied a modest three-meter-wide storefront. Its blue sign with white characters hung above a rolled-up shutter door, where red-lettered advertisements adorned the glass. Outside, items like cutting boards, washbasins, and mops were displayed.
“Why are you heading out to collect debts when our son is coming home before lunch?” scolded Tang Song’s mother, Xu Feng, as she grabbed her husband Tang Jianying’s arm. “Can’t it wait until after lunch?”
“I called Huzi yesterday and told him I’d come this morning. We’ve known each other for years, we’re from the same village, and yet he pulls this kind of stunt. It’s not right,” Tang Jianying replied, shaking his head.
“Oh, I see! You’re just worried about losing face in front of your son,” Xu Feng shot back, clearly exasperated. “Don’t think I don’t know what’s on your mind.”
“Uh…” Tang Jianying’s tanned face showed a hint of awkwardness.
“As if you’ll even get the money! I told you not to agree to front the cost in the first place. Now look—you’ve sunk two grand into those renovation crews!” Xu Feng muttered, continuing to tidy the shop.
Though her tone was sharp, she understood this was the nature of their business. For a hardware store like theirs, relying solely on scattered local customers wouldn’t generate enough income.
With the rise of online shopping and the presence of seven or eight competing hardware stores on the same street, survival was tough. Stores like theirs needed steady bulk orders from clients such as factories, renovation companies, and construction crews.
Jianying Hardware Store operated this way: Xu Feng managed the shop while Tang Jianying secured orders. Nearing 50, Tang Jianying had done various jobs over the years and leveraged connections from his time in a renovation company to secure contracts. Currently, 70% of the store’s sales came from renovation crews.
Their inability to fund Tang Song’s graduate studies was a lingering regret for the couple. It had left a lasting sense of guilt, especially since their son had managed to build a successful career and business on his own. Tang Jianying, both proud and remorseful, felt an urge to prove himself by making their hardware store more profitable and saving money for Tang Song.
To secure larger orders, he had agreed to the crews’ requests to defer payments. One crew, led by Huzi, had taken nearly 20,000 yuan worth of goods over two months without paying, relying on their village ties. Initially trusting, Tang Jianying hadn’t pressed them, but delays had compounded.
For small stores like theirs, delayed payments could spell disaster due to the high cost of maintaining inventory. Today, since Huzi was in town, Tang Jianying was determined to demand an explanation or at least partial payment.
“I’ll be back by 11 at the latest,” he said, climbing onto a three-wheeler parked outside and heading toward the county.
“Xu Feng, what were you and your husband arguing about earlier?” asked Sister Guo, the owner of the neighboring tile shop, as she approached curiously.
Xu Feng sighed and began explaining their predicament. Their shops didn’t see much foot traffic, but 70–80% of those who came usually made purchases, leaving them plenty of downtime to chat.
After a while, Sister Guo, munching on peanuts, asked with a grin, “So, I heard your son Tang Song is coming back. Is that true?”
At the mention of her son, Xu Feng’s expression brightened, and she beamed. “Yes, he should be here before noon!”
“It’s been, what, half a year since his last visit?”
“Yeah, he’s been busy with work and starting his business. There’s barely been any time for him to come home.”
“Being busy is a good thing!” Sister Guo sighed. “Look at my daughter—after her company in the capital went under, she moved back home and now just lounges around all day. She keeps saying she wants to do live streaming to sell tiles and take over our shop, but who knows if she’ll stick with it.”
Her tile shop was spacious and owned outright, a valuable asset on the town’s main road.
“Live streaming?” Xu Feng chuckled. “My Tang Song is also doing live e-commerce. Maybe they could exchange tips.”
“That’d be great!” Sister Guo slapped her thigh, her thoughts turning to opportunity. She had heard Xu Feng mention Tang Song’s entrepreneurial success in Yan City. If her daughter could join Tang Song’s company, it might solve the problem of her idling at home.
“Mom, are you talking about me again?” A fashionable young woman in her early twenties approached. With dyed blond hair, heavy makeup, and decent looks, she exuded confidence.
“Of course I am! You lounge around all day. Didn’t you say you wanted to do live streaming? Your Tang Song brother is doing exactly that—go learn from him!” Sister Guo huffed.
“Pfft.” Li Ranan covered her mouth, laughing lightly. “Mom, don’t try matchmaking me with Tang Song. We’re not a good fit.”
Xu Feng froze momentarily, her smile turning awkward. She knew Li Ranan’s brash personality well—self-centered and lacking consideration for others. Someone like her, with a “princess complex,” would only bring trouble if married into the family. Besides, Tang Song had higher standards now, especially with someone like Tian Jing in his life.
“You’re being ridiculous! No one would want to marry you—lazy and jobless as you are!” Sister Guo scolded.
“Tch.” Li Ranan rolled her eyes, pulling out her phone. “For your information, I’ve started making local content videos. I’ve got some fans now, and I’m planning to live stream today to promote our tiles.”
She opened Douyin (China’s TikTok), turned the camera toward the store, and began her live stream with practiced phrases she had learned online.
Meanwhile, Tang Song’s Mercedes S-Class rolled over the town’s worn streets, the familiar sights and sounds stirring a mix of emotions within him.
The sleek silver car stood out amidst the modest surroundings, drawing the attention of passersby. Some stopped to admire it, whispering among themselves, while children excitedly pointed at the car, their eyes wide with curiosity and wonder.
Seated behind the wheel, Tang Song recognized familiar faces on the street, feeling a rush of complex emotions—part nostalgia, part pride.
For a Chinese person, the bond with one’s hometown runs deep, rooted in a sense of belonging and identity. Returning in success, the desire to share one’s achievements is instinctive, a sentiment immortalized in tales like Xiang Yu’s "Returning in Splendor” or Liu Bang’s "Rising with the Wind.”
Soon, the modest storefront of Jianying Hardware Store came into view. The shop was relatively new, established just last year, and Tang Song had only visited a few times.
Tang Song couldn't help but feel a strange sense of belonging and familiarity as he approached the hardware store. Despite the modest appearance, knowing his parents were inside imbued the place with warmth.
As the left-turn signal clicked rhythmically, he took a deep breath, turned the wheel slightly, and smoothly maneuvered the Mercedes toward the shop’s entrance.
"All our tiles come from Guangdong province—polished tiles, glazed tiles, rustic tiles—all high quality with innovative patterns," Li Ranan said into her phone, broadcasting her store live on Douyin.
“Alright, let me show you a panoramic view.” She stepped back carefully, panning the camera to showcase the storefront. “Our shop is 100 meters west of Fuxiang Supermarket, Shanyun Ceramics. Feel free to stop by and check us out!”
As she walked backward with her phone raised, a loud horn blared from behind.
“Ranan, watch out for the car!” Sister Guo called urgently from the shop entrance.
“Oh!” Li Ranan quickly stepped aside, her attention shifting to the source of the sound.
A sleek silver car appeared in her view, its elegant design catching the light. The flowing lines of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class gleamed, and the iconic tri-star emblem on the hood exuded luxury.
The deep, rhythmic growl of the engine grew louder as the car approached. With a smooth turn, it parked effortlessly in the open space in front of the hardware store.
Through the clear windshield, she could just make out the driver—a young man, seemingly refined and handsome.
Li Ranan’s heart skipped a beat. Her live stream was promptly forgotten; the few viewers in her chat could wait. The sight of a luxury car and an attractive man was far more captivating.
The driver’s door opened, and a tall, confident figure stepped out.
His features were sharply defined: clear, delicate eyes, a vibrant complexion, and a perfectly contoured jawline. His fitted white T-shirt subtly showcased a sculpted physique beneath, while light blue jeans and white sneakers completed his clean and refreshing look.
He was brimming with vitality and charm, radiating confidence.
Li Ranan’s cheeks flushed with excitement. Wow, what a catch!
Sitting on a small stool by the storefront, Xu Feng shot to her feet, her eyes lighting up as she hurried over. “Xiao Song!”
As a mother, there was no mistaking her son, even after such a transformation. Compared to his video calls, seeing him in person left an even stronger impression—he was so much more spirited!
Hearing Xu Feng’s call, Li Ranan’s eyelid twitched as she blurted out, “Tang Song?!”
“Mom, I’m back,” Tang Song said warmly, embracing his mother. “What do you think of my fitness progress?”
“Wonderful! Look at this healthy frame!” Xu Feng patted his sturdy chest, her eyes brimming with pride and joy.
After a brief chat with his mother, Tang Song turned to the others and greeted them with a smile. “Good morning, Aunt Guo. Ranan.”
Aunt Guo gasped, her eyes wide in amazement. “Tang Song, you’ve changed so much! And this car—are you a big boss now?”
Tang Song chuckled. “I got lucky. My company’s live-streaming business hit an industry boom, and we managed to earn a little. I’m just home to show off to my parents.”
“Good morning, Brother Tang Song,” Li Ranan stammered, her heart racing as her pulse climbed to 150.
The man before her bore no resemblance to the boy she once knew. His transformation wasn’t just about losing weight—it was like he had become a whole new person.
And his physique! Perfectly proportioned, radiating power and elegance.
This wasn’t just any man—this was a real-life heartthrob, leagues above even his high school self.