novelraw Chapter 351: Xie Shuyu and Zhang Yan
Chapter 351: Xie Shuyu and Zhang Yan
A silver Mercedes-Benz S-Class slowly drove into a village on the outskirts of a small northern town.
Thanks to government policies, even a remote rural town like Tang Song’s hometown had well-paved asphalt roads.
But the roads were a bit narrow, and with cars randomly parked on the sides, the driving conditions weren’t ideal.
At the wheel, Tang Jianying’s eyes were sharp and focused, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.
Each time he passed another car, he was extra cautious.
In the back seat, Xu Feng leaned forward excitedly, chatting with Tang Song about her impression of the car.
“I’ve ridden in a few Mercedes wedding cars before, but none were as nice as this one.”
“The leather is so soft, and look at this wood trim…”
Tang Song explained the differences between the various Mercedes models while casually chatting with her.
As they drove deeper into the town, familiar sights began to appear.A small grocery store stacked with supplies, the smoky Guandi Temple, and neighbors chatting by the roadside…
“We’re home.” Tang Jianying announced, pulling into the open space outside their house.
After turning off the engine, he didn’t immediately get out.
Instead, he leaned back against the seat, running his hands over the luxurious Mercedes interior.
His gaze drifted ahead—to a dusty old Chery QQ parked in front of the house.
The car was filthy, and one of the rear taillights was held together with clear tape.
That was the only car the family had before.
Tang Jianying had bought it in 2011—a 1.0L manual model, costing around 40,000 yuan.
Now, after 13 years, it was falling apart—frequent issues, tiny trunk space, barely functioning.
He mostly relied on his electric tricycle for daily use since his hardware store was just a kilometer away.
Looking at the old, battered Chery, then at the elegant, high-end Mercedes S-Class beneath him, the contrast was striking.
It felt like a metaphor for the difference between him and his son.
He was immensely proud of Tang Song’s success—after all, what parent doesn’t wish for their child to have a better life?
But at the same time, as a father, a sense of inexplicable loss settled in his heart.
He had always dreamed of working hard, expanding the hardware store, and saving up to buy his son an apartment.
But now, Tang Song didn’t need any of that.
He had surpassed his father’s ability to provide, leaving Tang Jianying feeling somewhat useless.
For a moment, he felt an overwhelming mix of emotions.
Xu Feng patted his arm. “Hey, snap out of it! Get out of the car already!”
“Ah, right. I’ll go cook!” Tang Jianying quickly recovered, pushing open the door and stepping out.
The moment their family of three appeared on the street, they immediately drew attention.
Especially when the neighbors saw Tang Jianying stepping out from the driver’s seat.
Two elderly women, who had been chatting by the roadside, instantly widened their eyes in shock.
Earlier, when they saw the Mercedes drive past, they had gossiped excitedly, guessing which rich relative from Yan City had come back to visit.
But they never expected it to be Tang Jianying’s family!
“Xu Feng! Whose big Benz is this? What a grand car!”
“Wow, Little Song has changed so much! He’s lost so much weight since New Year and looks so much more handsome! If I saw him outside, I wouldn’t have even recognized him!”
Xu Feng cleared her throat and casually explained a few things.
Watching the dazed, shocked expressions on their faces, she couldn’t help but smile smugly.
Happiness often comes from comparison.
And in rural communities, this was even more apparent.
Ever since she had fallen ill and Tang Jianying lost his job at the flour factory, their family had been struggling financially.
Because they had borrowed money from others, they had fallen out with many people.
But now, with her son’s success and return in triumph, she finally felt like she had reclaimed her dignity.
A rust-red gate slowly swung open.
Father and son carried the luggage inside.
The house was a simple, rural two-story home, with a modest courtyard.
It had been built over ten years ago and was starting to look worn.
White walls, white tile floors.
Most of the appliances were ones Tang Song had ordered online in April.
Though it was nothing compared to his luxurious apartment in Yanjing Tiancheng, it had a warm, homely atmosphere.
Taking in the familiar surroundings, looking at the beaming smiles on his parents’ faces, and breathing in the distinct scent of home, Tang Song felt a deep sense of relaxation.
There was no place that could provide the same sense of security, belonging, and comfort as "home."
Knowing that he was coming back, his parents had started cooking the night before—braised beef and pork knuckles.
Now, they steamed rice and stir-fried a few of his favorite dishes.
Soon, the family gathered around the table, eating and chatting.
Xu Feng asked about his weight loss and fitness journey.
In his three years in Beijing, Tang Song had sacrificed his health to earn more money, gaining weight and becoming visibly out of shape.
For her, the biggest relief wasn’t just that her son had made money, but that he was now healthy and strong.
Meanwhile, Tang Jianying sat with his phone, searching Douyin for “Songmei Fashion” and “He Yiyi.”
After Lunch
Tang Song took out the gifts he had bought and shared them with his parents.
“Mom, this bag is all for you. You need to take better care of your skin. A friend recommended these—Helena Rubinstein and La Mer—perfect for your age. And some gold jewelry! Didn’t you always say that when we got rich, you wanted to be draped in gold?”
“Dad, these are for you. I noticed your old razor is ancient, so I got you a new one. Plus a belt and a watch—try them on!”
Xu Feng picked up the heavy gold bracelet, her eyes widening. “This feels so heavy! How much did this cost!? And this necklace—just because you have money doesn’t mean you should spend recklessly!”
“Mom, gold is an investment. Think of it as saving money.”
Tang Jianying examined the watch. “This looks high-end… how much was it?”
“A little over 80,000 yuan. It’s a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Moonphase. It tells the date and moon phases, and it’s water-resistant up to 50 meters.”
“What!? That expensive? What would I even do with such a fancy watch!?”
The Mercedes-Benz had been a necessary, practical purchase, so they hadn’t reacted much to it.
But now, seeing over 200,000 yuan worth of gifts laid out on the table, the shock was overwhelming.
After all, just last year, they had still been paying off debts.
A Serious Talk
Sitting on the couch, Tang Song had a heart-to-heart conversation with his parents.
He selectively shared details about his business, explaining how Songmei Fashion had become highly profitable, with massive potential in the e-commerce sector.
Because of all the viral “overnight success” stories about internet celebrities, his parents didn’t doubt him at all.
At the end of the conversation, Tang Song spoke sincerely.
“Dad, Mom, I’m really not short on money anymore. My career is on track, and our family’s future will only get better.
“I just want you both to be healthy and live long. The hardware store is too exhausting—consider selling it.
“And if you feel like doing something lighter, we can talk about it. No matter what, I’ll support you 100%.”
"Mom, haven't you always wanted to buy an apartment in the county? Tomorrow, we'll go to the most upscale complex, and I'll buy you one— paid in full.
"Dad, haven't you always liked the Audi A6L? Let’s get one too! Next time you meet up with your old colleagues, you’ll have a car that truly matches you."
These were promises Tang Song had been waiting for years to fulfill.
For as long as he could remember, certain images had been etched into his memory.
His mother holding a real estate brochure, looking at the prices with quiet disappointment.
His father, watching an old colleague drive an A6L, admiring it but knowing he couldn’t afford one.
To Tang Song, achieving financial freedom wasn’t just about wealth—it was about giving the people he loved a better life.
Hearing his words, Tang Jianying and Xu Feng's eyes shimmered with tears.
They thought back to when their son first learned to walk, stumbling and falling.
To his school years, where he grew bit by bit.
And now, to this moment—standing before them as a confident, successful man.
It was like watching a sapling they had nurtured grow into a towering tree, one strong enough to shield the entire family from the storm.
The satisfaction they felt was beyond words.
Returning to Familiar Comfort
On the second floor of the house, Tang Song stood in his old bedroom, looking around.
The familiar surroundings brought an overwhelming sense of peace.
It had been half a year since he last slept here, but the room was spotless—freshly changed sheets and pillowcases, the space filled with warmth.
Turning on the air conditioner, he leaned back in the chair and stretched comfortably.
"Ding-dong—"
His phone vibrated with a new message.
Glancing at the screen, he saw a familiar sender.
【China Merchants Bank】Your account ending in 3866 has received a part-time payment of 8,000.00 yuan on August 5 at 14:30.
The part-time payment from Shimmer Coffee had arrived.
Tang Song's gaze flickered slightly.
For the entirety of August, Shimmer Coffee had been busy handling financing, due diligence, and partner litigation.
He hadn’t done any work for them at all.
Yet, Xie Shuyu had still processed his payment on time. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NoveI[F]ire.net
That woman was truly good to him.
Images of Xie Shuyu surfaced in his mind.
She was, without a doubt, the most elegant and capable woman he had ever met.
Wealthy, poised, stylish, sharp, and confident—her presence alone could command a room.
Their first meeting had left a deep, unforgettable impression on him.
At the time, he had been insecure, feeling like he didn’t belong in her world.
Interacting with her always carried an intense, forbidden thrill—like an underdog challenging someone far above them.
She had become a silent witness to his transformation.
Even now, despite his financial success, he was still drawn to investing in Shimmer Coffee, not for profit, but because of her.
He really liked this once-unreachable female CEO.
His mind wandered back to the night of the "Scholar Instance" launch, the way she hugged him in the evening breeze, the satisfaction in that embrace.
A sudden surge of emotion washed over him.
Without hesitation, Tang Song pulled up her number and dialed.
"Beep—beep—beep—"
The phone barely rang a few times before it was answered.
"Hello, Little Song. What’s up?"
A smooth, mature voice came through the receiver.
Unlike Wen Ruan’s sultry, playful tone, Xie Shuyu's voice carried a composed, intellectual elegance.
"Hey, Sister Shuyu," Tang Song said softly, "I just received the part-time payment. Thank you."
She chuckled. "You don’t need to thank me. You earned it."
They exchanged a few casual pleasantries before Tang Song asked about Shimmer Coffee’s financing situation.
"The exclusivity agreement in Tiancheng Capital’s term sheet ended, right? How’s the funding round going?"
There was a brief pause on the other end.
Then, in an unusually quiet voice, Xie Shuyu replied, "Yes, it’s over. The funding round is over too. Unfortunately, I failed."
Even through the phone, Tang Song could sense her frustration and helplessness.
The café business had always struggled to secure investors, and she had fought tooth and nail to bring in fresh capital.
To come so painfully close, only to lose it all at the last step—the disappointment must have been crushing.
"Sister Shuyu, when you have time, I’d like to visit your office and talk in detail about this financing issue. I have a lot I want to discuss with you."
Tang Song had already sent people to reach out to Shimmer Coffee’s two other shareholders.
His investment into the company was about to begin.
"Ah…" Xie Shuyu hesitated for a moment, then her voice softened. "That works, but I’m heading back to my hometown in a bit—to visit my parents and catch up with old friends. I won’t be back in Yan City until next Thursday."
"Then we’ll meet after you’re back. By the way, where’s your hometown?"
A slight smile entered her voice. "Quancheng."
She paused before adding, "My parents grew up in Jing County but later moved to Quancheng. Actually, when we were selecting part-time workers, I had plenty of options. But I chose you because we’re from the same hometown."
Hearing this, Tang Song’s eyes flickered in surprise.
Jing County was a part of Quancheng—and it was also his hometown.
No wonder she had always treated him so well.
With a smile, Tang Song said warmly, "Sister Shuyu, we really do have a special connection. I just got back to Jing County this morning—I’m with my parents right now."
"Really? What a coincidence."
"Exactly! Since we’re both in Quancheng for the next few days, let’s meet up when you have time."
"Alright, I’ll call you once I’m free!" Xie Shuyu’s voice suddenly sounded lighter, more cheerful.
Leaning back in his chair, Tang Song continued chatting with her about the recent developments in Quancheng and Jing County, before finally ending the call.
Lazily stretching out on his bed, he pulled out his phone and reopened his novel—
《Wrong Room, Found a Bossy CEO》.
From outside, he could hear relatives knocking on the door, followed by laughter and conversation.
The novel’s opening was actually quite interesting—the plot twists were unpredictable, the creativity fresh.
As the story progressed, something struck him.
The female lead, Xu Yanqing, felt strangely familiar.
Her personality seemed like a mix of Xu Qing and Shen Yuyan.
And the Douyin ID "Qingqing Eats Too Much"—
That was definitely Xu Qing.
Tang Song smirked.
He was really curious about how Xu Qing had written his character.
Shengyuan Scenic Residence – Building 9, Apartment 401.
After hanging up the call, Xie Shuyu stood in place for a moment, dazed.
When she finally looked up, she caught sight of her reflection in the full-length mirror—
And the unconscious smile tugging at her lips.
Shaking her head, she picked up her luggage and headed out.
For the past few months, she had been working tirelessly—
Managing Shimmer Coffee, coordinating due diligence with Tiancheng Capital, and handling bank audits.
Now that everything had fallen through, she was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
For her, the best way to heal was going home—
Spending time with her parents, talking about old stories, finding comfort in familiarity.
An hour later, a black BMW 7 Series pulled into a high-end residential complex in Quancheng.
After locking the car, Xie Shuyu walked briskly toward the elevator—
Her long, slender legs accentuated by tight jeans and a form-fitting T-shirt.
Unlike her usual business attire, today she looked more youthful, casual, and effortlessly sexy.
Reaching the first-floor hallway, she knocked on the door.
"Mom, Dad, I’m home."
"Aiyo, come in, Little Yu! Give me your bags!"
Her mother’s face lit up with joy, taking her luggage and handing her a pair of slippers.
"Your dad was just talking about you yesterday. He wanted me to call you, but you know him—he won’t say it outright, but he really misses you."
"Let me give him a call. He’s out playing badminton with your Uncle Li right now."
Slipping into cozy house slippers, listening to her mother’s warm voice, Xie Shuyu’s tense heart gradually softened.
A bright smile appeared on her face.
Taking a few bites of the fresh fruit her mother handed her, she lay back on the couch, crossing one leg over the other, casually chatting with her mom.
She had grown up in a harmonious, happy family.
Her parents were open-minded, kind-hearted, and both had retired comfortably.
She had originally planned to bring them to Yan City, but their entire social life was rooted in Quancheng, so they ultimately chose to stay.
When she started making good money, she bought them a ground-floor apartment in an upscale complex, complete with a private garden.
A Father’s Love Through Cooking
Ten minutes later.
The sound of keys turning in the door echoed through the house.
Her father walked in, wearing sportswear, his face lit up with a big smile.
"Dad, you’re back!"
"Little Yu, what do you want to eat for dinner? I’ll cook."
Xie Shuyu pursed her lips in thought, then smiled. "Sweet and sour pork ribs, spicy shredded potatoes, and Sichuan-style boiled beef."
"Alright! I’ll head out in a bit to get some fresh ribs and tenderloin."
As the three of them chatted in the living room, laughter filled the air.
With each passing moment, Xie Shuyu felt her energy returning.
After her father hummed a tune and left to buy groceries, her mother patted her leg suddenly and asked—
"Little Yu, be honest with me—are you really never planning to get married?"
Immediately, Xie Shuyu snapped to attention, her guard up.
"Mom, you and Dad already said you wouldn’t pressure me about this. Even if I never get married, you’d be fine with it. Don’t tell me you’re starting to push for it now?"
Her parents had always been incredibly open-minded, only wanting her to be safe and happy.
Once she became financially independent and successful, they had stopped meddling in her personal life.
After all, she was doing just fine on her own.
If she ended up with the wrong partner, she’d be the one suffering.
"No, no pressure." Her mother smiled helplessly before hesitating for a while and finally saying—
"We’re not telling you to get married. As long as you’re happy, that’s enough for us.
"But… you’re already 32. If you ever want to have kids, it’s better to start thinking about it now—before you become a high-risk pregnancy."
"Mom, you’re thinking way too far ahead! I don’t even have a boyfriend!"
Her mother gave her a knowing look and lowered her voice. "Then maybe you should try finding one?
"You don’t have to get married if you don’t want to. If you have a child, your dad and I are retired now—we’d take care of everything. It wouldn’t affect your work at all."
Xie Shuyu narrowed her eyes. "So basically… you just want a grandchild?"
"Nonsense! We’re mainly thinking about you. But it’s your decision in the end."
Her mother knew her daughter all too well—
A workaholic, a strong-willed woman, not great at handling emotions, and a bit cold in relationships.
That’s why, at 32, she had never even been in a serious relationship.
They worried she might not be able to sustain a marriage.
But deep down, they still hoped that one day, when she felt ready for children, she would naturally find the right partner.
"Got it, Mom."
Standing up, Xie Shuyu stretched and said, "I’m going to my room to rest. Work has been exhausting lately."
She was a rational person and knew her mother wasn’t wrong.
Once a woman hit 35, childbirth became significantly riskier.
On top of that, her health wasn’t great—
She constantly watched her diet, worked long hours, and barely took care of herself.
Irregular periods, frequent stomach pains—these had become normal.
A Room Frozen in Time
Click.
The bedroom door closed softly behind her.
"Ahhh—"
She flopped onto her plush, oversized bed.
Her room was nothing like the sophisticated, elegant image she projected at work.
Instead, it was playful and cute—a preserved time capsule of her childhood.
The floor was covered with a cartoon-patterned rug.
Her bedspread was colorful polka dots, embroidered with Chibi Maruko-chan.
The walls were covered with anime posters—
"Chibi Maruko-chan," "Cardcaptor Sakura," "Inuyasha"…
Born in 1991, she was a true '90s kid.
She had gone through the rebellious “emo” phase, watched idol dramas, listened to Jay Chou on an MP3 player, and binged classic anime.
She had once dreamed of visiting Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, to see the real-life school that inspired Chibi Maruko-chan—
To experience its classrooms, streets, and childhood innocence.
But now, even though she had the money, she no longer had the heart for such trips.
Somewhere along the way, she had buried herself in work and wealth.
Was it just because she had gotten older?
Hugging a plush doll, she rolled onto her side, staring at the ceiling.
If she really did decide to have a child…
A flash of a sharp, tall, and handsome figure flickered across her mind.
She had never denied her physical attraction to Tang Song.
That hug in the evening breeze had made her dream about him several times—dreams that got more chaotic each time.
9:00 PM – A Shocking Discovery
Tang Song shot up from his bed, yelling,
"Damn you, Xu Qing! This is how you write me!?"
Reading the antics of the "simp" version of Tang Song in the novel, his brows twitched violently.
In the book:
Xu Yanqing and Gu Peisi were arguing.
And what did "Tang Song" do?
He stuck his nose in, trying to be helpful.
And when Xu Yanqing agreed to a date with him, it wasn’t because she liked him—
It was just to make her CEO lover jealous.
At least in the early chapters, his character was nothing more than a complete clown.
The worst part?
Because Xu Qing’s writing was so good, her readers actually loved this version of him!
The comments were filled with pity for "Tang Song."
Then, one comment caught his eye—
【Bingxue Littlexue’er】: "The author is too slow with updates! I’m re-reading this part, and my heart aches for my precious Tang Song! The way Xu Yanqing treats him is heartbreaking. At least later, he gets his revenge and sleeps with her so hard she sees stars. Time to go re-read that steamy chapter! ❤️🔥"
This comment had tons of likes.
Beneath it, people had replied with “+1” and “Same!”
Tang Song's eyelid twitched violently.
Holy crap. Xu Qing actually wrote smut about me!?
This, he had to see!
Curiosity fully piqued, he clicked on the novel’s homepage and requested to join the fan group.
The page redirected to QQ.
He hesitated.
His QQ nickname was his real name, and the account was still linked to old classmates from the University of Technology.
If he joined now, Xu Qing would instantly recognize him.
Thinking fast, he searched for another QQ account he had created years ago.
Logging in, he resubmitted his request.
Now, all he had to do was wait for the admin to approve it.
He was going to find out exactly how far Xu Qing had taken this story.
After submitting his group join request, Tang Song randomly clicked into his old QQ Space.
With a casual glance, he was instantly hit with a wave of secondhand embarrassment.
The cringeworthy statuses and over-the-top journal entries from his teenage years made his face burn red.
"God, was I really this immature?"
To prevent Xu Qing from ever discovering this in the future, he decisively deleted everything.
Then, out of curiosity, he clicked into his message board.
Surprisingly, he found a few recent messages.
【Zhang Yan (2023-01-22)】: Happy Lunar New Year! Wishing you success in the new year! Keep going! 🎉
【Zhang Yan (2022-12-09)】: Happy 25th Birthday! 🎂
Tang Song's expression froze slightly as he continued scrolling down.
There weren’t many people on this account’s friend list.
And yet, the message board was filled almost entirely with Zhang Yan’s posts.
Not just in the past two years—
For ten whole years, since 2013, she had left him a birthday or New Year's greeting every single year.
Every now and then, she also left casual “Stepping by~”, “Just checking in”, or “Keep it up!” messages.
Zhang Yan…
The name was familiar, and Tang Song quickly recalled who she was.
She had been his seatmate for three years in middle school.
A gentle girl—easily flustered, always blushing over the smallest things.
But after the 2013 high school entrance exams, they had gone their separate ways.
Tang Song got into No.1 High School, while Zhang Yan attended No.2 High School.
From that point on, their contact had faded.
The only times he remembered seeing her afterward were during his time at No.1 High School—
Occasionally bumping into her at the cafeteria or the track field.