novelraw Chapter 366: The Warmth of the World, Wen Ruan and Su Yu
Chapter 366: The Warmth of the World, Wen Ruan and Su Yu
"Whoosh—"
The sound of a toilet flushing echoed in the bathroom.
Lin Muxue washed her hands, then looked up at her reflection in the mirror.
The flush on her face was so deep it almost seemed to seep from her skin.
"Ah!"
A high-pitched exclamation of excitement came from beyond the bathroom door, accompanied by the rhythmic creaking of the bed.
Lin Muxue shuddered involuntarily as a wave of heat washed over her.
"Thump-thump-thump—"
Her heartbeat was definitely racing past 130 beats per minute at this point.
Even though she had mentally prepared herself, now that she was actually here, the tension was overwhelming.At the end of the day, she still had her pride.
And her pride was everything.
In front of the beautician, in front of Tang Song, she had always strived to maintain an air of elegance and sophistication.
Stay composed. No matter what, don't start trash-talking in front of Qianqian!
Taking a deep breath, Lin Muxue pushed open the bathroom door. She forced a small, uneasy smile onto her face and stepped into the bedroom area in her high heels.
The curtains were drawn tightly shut, plunging the room into near darkness despite it being broad daylight. The only source of light was the soft, warm glow of ambient lamps.
Her gaze swept across the room—
The beautician’s long, fair legs stretched out lazily, drawing attention.
A black dress lay draped over the back of the sofa, while Tang Song’s T-shirt and jeans were scattered haphazardly on the floor.
The air buzzed with sound—the rustling of fabric, the rhythm of movement—intertwined with the beautician’s soft, breathless murmurs.
Lin Muxue stood frozen for a moment.
Then, as if on autopilot, she bent down and carefully picked up Tang Song’s clothes, folding them neatly before placing them on the table.
"Xiaoxue!"
Tang Song’s urgent voice suddenly called out.
Lin Muxue tensed instantly, her voice reflexively responding, "I'm here!"
"Come over here."
Her knees nearly buckled. Biting her lower lip, she forced herself to take slow, measured steps forward.
"Tap—tap—"
She had barely taken a few steps before a pair of strong, warm arms wrapped around her.
Lin Muxue let out a soft gasp. Before she could react, she was already on the plush, spacious bed.
Tang Song’s deep, smoldering gaze bore into her, his breath fanning across her face.
Then, a gentle yet firm touch fell upon her skin.
Her eyelashes trembled. She turned her head slightly, catching sight of the beautician’s flushed cheeks.
"Tang… Tang Song, this… isn’t really appropriate, is it?"
She tried to steady her voice. "I was just worried about Qianqian’s safety, so I wanted to bring her here. Plus, tomorrow we still have to—mmph—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Tang Song silenced her with a kiss.
The Armani business suit she had just bought was swiftly undone and tossed aside.
Their breaths mingled, their senses entwined—
The Next Afternoon
The asphalt streets shimmered under the relentless summer sun, the heat making the air ripple in mirage-like waves.
It was as if the world had been slowed down, steeped in a haze of languid warmth.
5:00 PM.
Lin Muxue stirred from her sleep, groggy and disoriented. The bed beside her was empty.
Her whole body felt like it had been taken apart and put back together again. She let out a quiet groan.
Then, the sound of running water reached her ears from the bathroom—along with the distinct voices of Tang Song and Qianqian.
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Flashes of the previous night’s events played in her mind. Lin Muxue’s eyelid twitched.
All those late-night conversations with her best friend about “teaming up against Tang Song” seemed so ridiculous now.
Because, in the end, the beautician had betrayed her without a moment’s hesitation.
Instead of ganging up on Tang Song, they had ended up on opposing sides, with her being the one getting played.
"Hiss—"
Lin Muxue sucked in a sharp breath and wrapped the blanket tighter around herself.
How did I never realize that the beautician was this silver-tongued?
Just then, the bathroom door opened.
Footsteps echoed across the room.
Lin Muxue lifted her head and was greeted by the sight of Tang Song—
His damp skin glistening under the light, defined muscles taut, features sharp and striking.
Her mind wandered back to last night.
A dazed expression flickered across her face.
"Come on, Xiaoxue, take a shower. You and Qianqian haven’t eaten all day—you must be starving." Tang Song walked over to her. "After you freshen up, I’ll take you both out for some local food."
"I don’t have the strength to stand," Lin Muxue mumbled. Sitting up, she clutched the blanket to her chest, her wavy brown hair spilling over her pale shoulders.
Tang Song chuckled softly, then reached under the blanket.
A sudden sensation jolted her. Lin Muxue gasped, eyes widening. "Tang Song! Tang Song, let me rest for a bit—!"
"Don’t worry." Tang Song lifted her into his arms in a bridal carry.
Pressing a light kiss to her neck, he smiled. "Xiaoxue, thank you for coming to see me today—with Qianqian. I’m really happy."
Lin Muxue froze for a moment, caught off guard.
In his gaze, she saw something unexpected—fondness, maybe even tenderness.
A warmth bloomed in her chest.
Licking her dry lips, she hesitated for only a second before wrapping her arms around his neck.
Bodies and souls intertwined, a moment of intimacy and connection.
Stripped of clothing, the scene had an undeniable intimacy.
But beyond that, there was something unexpectedly… romantic.
As if sensing her thoughts, Tang Song lowered his head again, sealing her lips in another deep kiss.
For him, today had been meaningful in more ways than one.
It felt like he had finally shaken off the shadows of 2016, breaking free from a past that had once weighed him down.
He was genuinely grateful for both Zhao Yaqian and Lin Muxue.
And in this moment, he cherished them.
System Interface
Warm water cascaded down, lathering into thick foam against smooth skin.
Laughter and playful splashes filled the bathroom.
As Tang Song felt the soft, shifting warmth of the two girls beside him, he leaned back contentedly, eyes half-lidded in satisfaction.
Opening the system interface, he navigated to the [Companion] module.
Clicking on the illustrated portrait card, he pulled up the details.
[Companion: Zhao Yaqian (19 years old)]
[Role: The Canary (Supervisor at Isha Beauty)]
[Height: 180 cm | Weight: 65 kg]
[Constitution: 68 | Stamina: 68 | Agility: 58 | Comprehension: 60]
[Growth Progress: 55%]
[Growth Plan Task ③: The Refined Canary]
Objective: Now that Zhao Yaqian has redefined her identity and established an independent career, she must recognize her shortcomings. She needs to refine her dance talent, cultivate an elegant posture, master social etiquette, and develop an artistic appreciation.Reward: +10% Growth Progress, +1 Constitution, +2 Stamina, +2 Agility, 1x Canary’s Gift PackStatus: IncompleteHer base attributes had seen some slight improvements.
And with the system's guidance, a comprehension stat of 60 meant she was already at an acceptable level.
With talent and determination, she would definitely master these skills.
Tang Song had full confidence in the system’s gifted talents.
Once the Canary mastered the art of dance, she would undoubtedly shine in her own way.
Speaking of which, his past recruit [Superstar - Su Yu] had been the epitome of a fully realized Canary.
Stunning beauty, refined elegance, emotional intelligence, exceptional social skills…
Meanwhile, Yaqian was gradually evolving into a more modest version of Su Yu.
Coincidentally, today was Wen Ruan’s second day in Shanghai.
She and Su Yu were supposed to meet.
How had that turned out?
Given their personalities, they wouldn’t actually start a fight… would they?
Shanghai, Tang Zong Entertainment.
In a sunlit conference room—
A poised and elegant woman stood up, smiling as she introduced herself.
"Hello, Director Wen. I'm Zhu Dandan, Senior Executive Assistant, 29 years old, graduated from—"
"I'm Liu Jing, Assistant in Strategic Planning, 32 years old—"
Seated comfortably in the conference room, Wen Ruan listened to her newly assembled assistant team introduce themselves, unable to suppress the excitement welling up in her heart.
This was a dream team—each of them professionals in their respective fields.
They could help her manage and coordinate the company's various affairs, assist in scheduling and planning, and even handle her day-to-day needs.
Before this, she had only one assistant—Zhang Xintong—who mostly processed OA applications and took meeting minutes.
The bulk of the work still fell on her shoulders, and she often felt overwhelmed.
She wasn't a workaholic. The reason she willingly took on responsibilities at Light and Shadow Media and Xingyun International was more about aligning herself with Tang Song—
To elevate her own status, to become someone who could stand on equal footing with him.
Now, with this team by her side, she was finally liberated from the mountain of tedious work.
For the first time, she could truly balance her career and personal life.
— Two Hours Later —
A crisp, rhythmic tapping of heels echoed down the hallway, followed by a knock on the conference room door.
A tall, stunning figure stepped inside.
"President Mo!"
"President Mo!"
Mo Xiangwan nodded slightly in greeting before shaking Wen Ruan's hand. "Apologies, I had a rather packed schedule today."
Wen Ruan smiled and replied, "No worries. The colleagues at Tang Zong Entertainment have been very welcoming."
Welcoming was an understatement. From the moment she stepped into Tang Zong Entertainment, she had received VIP treatment.
Mo Xiangwan’s personal secretary had been assigned to accompany her, along with one of the company’s vice presidents.
Even the celebrities she passed in the hallway took the initiative to greet her.
"You've probably heard about the management training, right? If you have any thoughts or suggestions, feel free to share—this is tailored for you, after all."
"Mm, it’s already perfect as it is. I have no objections," Wen Ruan nodded lightly. "Thank you, President Mo, for arranging all this."
When Tang Song first mentioned management training, she had assumed it meant enrolling in an MBA program.
She never expected it to be this—a fully customized course, arranged by Tang Zong Entertainment, featuring one-on-one lessons from top consultants and industry elites.
There would even be networking opportunities with renowned entrepreneurs.
These were people with firsthand business experience, who would share real-world case studies and insights.
It was incredibly thoughtful.
The two continued chatting for a while.
Just then, Mo Xiangwan’s assistant approached and whispered something in her ear.
After a brief pause, Mo Xiangwan looked at Wen Ruan and said in a low voice, "Wen Ruan, Su Yu is returning to Shanghai tonight. You’ll likely see her soon."
Wen Ruan’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She took a deep breath. "Alright, I understand."
It was inevitable.
But she had prepared herself for this moment long ago.
There was no longer any panic or hesitation.
8:00 PM – Jing County
Jade Street was an old marketplace, rich with history.
Located near the city center, it was steeped in the vibrant energy of everyday life.
When Tang Song was a child, his parents would bring him here whenever they had extra money or during festival seasons.
Clothing, bags, street food, diners, electronics—
For his parents' generation, this place was filled with memories of their youth.
Over time, as modern shopping malls, commercial centers, and pedestrian streets emerged, Jade Street fell into decline.
However, in recent years, with the rise of internet-famous attractions across the country, the government revitalized the area.
It was redesigned to blend tradition with modernity, featuring trendy food stalls and handmade crafts.
With heavy promotion on platforms like Douyin, the street had been given a second life, becoming one of Jing County’s prime destinations for social media check-ins.
Earlier that afternoon, after an intense basketball match, Zhao Yaqian and Lin Muxue had to head to the mall to buy a fresh change of clothes.
Seeing how excited they were, Tang Song decided to wander off on his own, heading straight to the old street.
It wasn’t that he minded shopping with them—
In fact, he was quite good at helping them pick outfits.
But they were shopping for lingerie.
And possibly the playful kind.
As a man of dignity, Tang Song knew when to make a strategic retreat.
As night fell, the street lit up with dazzling neon lights, buzzing with life.
The air was thick with the scent of fried tofu, stuffed flatbread, and rice rolls.
Street vendors shouted their offers, customers haggled, children laughed—
Occasionally, cyclists and motorcyclists wove their way through the crowd, calling out "Make way!"
Watching the high schoolers strolling around in pairs, joking and snacking, Tang Song felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
Back when he was in high school, whenever the school allowed off-campus time, he would bring Liu Qingning here.
Of course, back then, Jade Street wasn’t nearly as lively as it was now.
And they certainly didn’t have as much spending money as today’s students.
They had to share a simple egg sandwich, drizzled with a little meat sauce, paired with a bowl of spicy cold noodles—
And it was the best meal in the world.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Tang Song smiled and took a picture of the bustling street, sending it to Liu Qingning.
"Next time, I'll bring you here."
After putting away his phone, he resumed wandering through the street.
At a smoky barbecue stall, he spotted taro skin skewers—Zhao Yaqian’s favorite snack.
Stopping in front of the stall, he ordered, "Five lamb skewers, three taro skin skewers, three grilled gluten skewers."
"Alright, that'll be 38 yuan. You can scan the code here," the vendor replied, placing the skewers on the grill.
Tang Song nodded, pulling out his phone to pay. "Sent."
Just then, a young man beside him leaned in and hesitantly asked, "Wait… are you Tang—Tang Song?"
Hearing his name and that familiar voice, Tang Song’s heart skipped a beat.
Turning around, he saw a familiar face. "Shen Hang? It’s you! Long time no see."
He remembered Shen Hang vividly—
The guy had appeared in his memories from 2016 countless times.
A friend from high school, someone he often played basketball with.
Shen Hang had even been there when Tang Song found that pink pair of earphones.
Compared to his high school days, Shen Hang had put on quite a bit of weight. His face had filled out noticeably.
But his features and voice were unmistakable.
"Damn, it is you!" Shen Hang's eyes widened. "Dude, you look incredible—way sharper than in high school."
Tang Song was dressed simply in a T-shirt and jeans.
But the way he carried himself—his presence—
That wasn’t something a mere outfit could define.
Maturity. Confidence. Charisma.
Shen Hang was genuinely impressed.
They exchanged a few nostalgic words about their high school days.
Then, with a curious look, Shen Hang asked, "By the way, I heard from Sun Jiayue that Liu Qingning is doing really well now. Is that true?"
"Yeah, she's doing great. She moved to Shenzhen and started an AI-related education company with some alumni."
"Damn, that’s insane! But no surprise—she was always a genius," Shen Hang sighed. "I guess out of all of us, Liu Qingning is the most successful now. Sun Jiayue’s doing well too. Both of them are killing it."
Tang Song chuckled and teased, "I remember you had a crush on Sun Jiayue, right? You even wrote her love letters and sang for her. You guys still keep in touch?"
During high school, Liu Qingning had plenty of close friends, including her dormmate, Sun Jiayue.
Sun Jiayue had always been a top student as well, later enrolling at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
After graduation, she landed a job at a financial firm—if Liu Qingning remembered correctly, she worked in the fundraising department.
"No, no, no!" Shen Hang waved his hands frantically. "That was ancient history! After she got into Shanghai Finance, I never bothered her again. We’re not even WeChat friends anymore—I know my limits. Besides, I have a girlfriend now."
Just then, the rich aroma of grilled skewers filled the air. The barbecue stall owner handed over a paper bag.
"Your order's ready, buddy."
"Thanks." Tang Song took the bag and turned to see Shen Hang pointing at a milk tea shop by the roadside.
"That’s my shop! Come on, my treat!"
"Sure." Tang Song chuckled and nodded.
The milk tea shop was small, around 20 square meters, with a counter and drink-making station on the left, and a waiting area with a couple of tables on the right.
Since it was peak evening hours, the shop was packed with customers.
Behind the counter, three young women were busy preparing drinks.
"What do you want?"
"Uh… just the signature milk tea. Add coconut jelly and pearls."
"Got it." Shen Hang flashed an OK gesture and stepped behind the counter.
He handed a skewer of grilled gluten to one of the girls and whispered something to her before personally making the drink.
A few minutes later, he returned with a cup of milk tea.
"Here, try it."
Tang Song took a sip, then gave a thumbs-up. "Nice. The sweetness is just right."
"Heh, the key is using high-quality ingredients. In a place like this, if the drinks aren’t good, you won’t survive."
Shen Hang then pointed at the girl who had been eating the skewer earlier, looking quite proud. "That’s my girlfriend. She’s 21, a student at Quancheng College. We met when she was working here part-time over the summer. Pretty, right?"
Tang Song looked up and studied her for a moment.
She had a quiet, studious vibe, round glasses perched on her nose, and a soft, youthful charm.
"Not bad, Shen Hang. A pretty university student—you're lucky."
To be honest, after seeing so many stunning women, Tang Song wasn’t particularly amazed.
But out of politeness, he still offered some genuine praise.
Shen Hang's grin widened. He leaned in and whispered excitedly, "Dating younger girls is the best, man. I feel like I’m getting younger too. Plus, college girls are way less materialistic—relationships with them are a lot purer..."
From there, he launched into a whole speech about the joys of dating a younger girlfriend.
Tang Song didn’t interrupt. He just pulled out a skewer from the bag and ate quietly, sipping his milk tea as he listened.
Having just broken free from his 2016 memories, seeing old classmates like Shen Hang and hearing about their lives made him unexpectedly nostalgic.
They chatted for a while before exchanging contacts and adding each other on WeChat.
As more and more customers streamed into the shop, Tang Song stood up.
"I won’t keep you from your business. Let’s keep in touch. If you ever come to Yan City, let me know—I’ll take care of everything."
"Sounds good!" Shen Hang grinned and clapped him on the arm.
It had been seven years since they last met—Shen Hang had studied out-of-province for university and only returned home after graduation.
Just then, Tang Song’s phone buzzed.
"Bzzt—bzzt—"
Seeing the caller ID, he answered in a low voice, "Hey, Qianqian. You guys done shopping?"
Glancing around, he spotted the store logo and added, "I’m at Bingchun Tea on the north side of the street. Not far from you."
"Alright, I’ll wait at the entrance. See you soon."
After hanging up, Shen Hang smirked teasingly. "‘Qianqian’—that sounds like a girl’s name. Let me guess... your girlfriend?"
Tang Song chuckled. "Yeah, she is."
"Damn, I thought you were still waiting for Liu Qingning."
Tang Song raised an eyebrow and joked, "Who knows? Next time I see her, she might end up being my girlfriend too."
Shen Hang gaped for a second before bursting into laughter. "Damn, you’re bold! Say that in front of your girlfriend, I dare you."
A Street Ablaze with Lights
As they stepped out of the shop, Tang Song stood on the stairs, looking toward the east end of the bustling street.
In the sea of people, Zhao Yaqian and Lin Muxue were instantly recognizable.
Tall, slender, and elegantly dressed, they stood out like two city goddesses walking through an old town.
As they strolled arm in arm, the crowd naturally parted around them, their presence drawing countless glances—curiosity, admiration, envy.
Shen Hang nudged Tang Song with his elbow, eyes wide.
"Dude, look over there! Those two girls are insanely gorgeous! Especially the one on the left—my god, those legs go on forever! The one on the right is stunning too! She looks like a Korean actress!"
"Man, I’ve had this shop for over a year, and I’ve never seen anyone this beautiful here!"
Tang Song nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they’re pretty stunning."
"Ugh!" Shen Hang sighed dramatically. "I always wonder—who do girls like that end up marrying?"
The moment he finished his sentence—
The two women walked straight toward them.
Shen Hang, thinking they were heading for his milk tea shop, quickly stepped aside and whispered excitedly, "Oh sht, they’re coming to my store!"
Tang Song chuckled softly, stepping down the stairs.
Shen Hang was just about to say something when—
The long-legged beauty practically pounced on Tang Song, wrapping her arms around him in an affectionate hug.
The other girl, standing quietly beside them, waited for them to separate before taking the bag of skewers and milk tea from Tang Song’s hands.
"Wow! You got taro skin skewers? Thanks, babe!"
"This milk tea looks good. You got it from your friend’s shop? Let’s try it!"
Then, without hesitation, both girls took turns sipping from the same straw that Tang Song had just used.
Turning back, Tang Song waved at Shen Hang.
"Later, bro. I’m heading out."
"Bye!" Shen Hang called after them, watching the three figures blend into the lively crowd.
Two tall, stunning women, each holding food, took turns feeding Tang Song as they walked.
The sight of it made Shen Hang’s brain short-circuit.
Holy sht...
Same high school, same old classmates...
But why the hell is his life so much better than mine?!
The long street stretched endlessly ahead, illuminated by a sea of lights.
People bustled past them in waves, the air thick with the scent of street food and the hum of conversation.
Surrounded by this vibrant, living city, Tang Song glanced at Zhao Yaqian and Lin Muxue beside him.
A soft smile played on his lips as he soaked in the warmth and happiness of the moment.
Then—
"Bzzt—bzzt—"
His phone vibrated again.
Pulling it out, he glanced at the screen—
His smile froze.
Just moments ago, he had been floating on air.
Now, his heart clenched.
[Wen Ruan: Su Yu's photo.jpg]