novelraw Chapter 377: A Heart-Pounding Daily Life
Chapter 377: A Heart-Pounding Daily Life
The bedroom was quiet, the door tightly shut.
As Tang Song sat down beside her, his warmth and breath lingering close, Liu Qingning instinctively scooted further inside. Looking up, she found him staring at her, his gaze unwavering.
The silence stretched for over ten seconds, and the atmosphere grew increasingly intimate.
Perhaps to conceal her shyness, Liu Qingning straightened her face and started discussing artificial intelligence and large language models with him.
Whenever she was with Tang Song, their conversations mostly revolved around computers, programming, and career planning. As someone deeply involved in the industry, she had witnessed its rapid evolution and knew the future it held. She hoped Tang Song would also invest time in learning, ensuring he could continue to rise and not be left behind.
Not long after they had parted ways, on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT was officially launched and quickly took the world by storm. Around the same time, Qingning Technology also unveiled its self-developed large model, chatbot program, and image generation software.
With the rapid rise of two unicorn companies at home and abroad, the AI wave had officially begun.
Hearing her mention Qingning Technology, Tang Song’s gaze flickered slightly before he casually chuckled, “The name ‘Qingning Technology’ really suits you. And since it's in the same industry, doesn’t it feel like fate? Have you ever thought about working there?”
After all, this company came into existence because of her.
In 2018, Liu Qingning had joined a startup team focused on AI development and applications.In Heartthrob Growth Plan’s 2018 timeline, Tang Song had aggressively invested in AI, using his capital and enterprises to establish a foothold in the industry. By 2020, he had completed his grand puzzle, ultimately merging several domestic and international tech companies to form what was now known as Qingning Technology.
Liu Qingning remained silent for a moment before suddenly asking, “Do you want me to work at Qingning Technology?”
“Uh… me?” Tang Song blinked. “Qingning Technology is currently an AI unicorn, backed by massive capital. I’d say it has way more potential than Century Zhixue.”
“Oh.” Liu Qingning nodded and dropped the topic.
Even though she knew the best option for herself was to stay in a big city, she still had to consider Tang Song’s feelings.
She didn’t want this stubborn guy to let his pride get in the way and reject her kindness.
She planned to wait until she had completely left Shenzhen before telling him her decision. By then, the matter would be settled, and he’d have no choice but to accept it.
Watching the rise and fall of Tang Song’s side profile, she imagined his reaction when he found out. A bright smile spread across her face.
—
“I’m turning off the lights. Three… two… one…”
Click!Click!
As Tang Song switched off the ceiling light, Liu Qingning simultaneously turned on the small bedside lamp.
The tiny bedroom was instantly enveloped in a warm, golden glow.
The air conditioner hummed softly, blowing cool air into the room. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ n0velfire.net
It was cozy and peaceful.
“We’re still so in sync.” Tang Song chuckled, sitting on the edge of the bed barefoot.
Since there weren’t any suitable slippers, he decided to make do for now. Tomorrow, when he went to Shenzhen Bay No. 1 to grab his clothes, he’d pick up an extra pair of guest slippers.
“Just so you know, I’m only letting you sleep here tonight because you came all this way. This is a one-time deal!”
Liu Qingning leaned against the headboard, curling her legs up as she hugged a pillow tightly. Her big eyes blinked adorably.
“Mhm, just this once. No exceptions next time.” Tang Song placed his legs on the bed, turning to look at her. “Are you scared I might try something?”
“Of course not. We’ve known each other for so many years—I know you too well, hmph.”
In all the years she had known Tang Song, this was the first time they were sharing a bed.
Even when he first arrived in Beijing and she helped him rent a place, clean up, and organize his apartment, she had never stayed over.
After all, they were just friends—not a couple.
Now, in this tiny six-square-meter room, with him so close, his scent surrounding her, Liu Qingning’s heart pounded like a deer in flight. But outwardly, she remained calm and composed.
“Mhm, that’s more like it.” Tang Song chuckled, reaching out to gently pinch her bun hairstyle.
Liu Qingning retaliated by ruffling his hair.
Tang Song pinched again; she messed up his hair even more.
In the dim light, clad in loose pajamas, Liu Qingning felt more confident. At least this way, she didn’t have to worry about him noticing her bad skin or slightly thickened waistline.
Gradually, her bun got flattened, and Tang Song’s neatly styled hair was completely ruined.
Their eyes met—and they both burst into laughter.
After their playful moment, the awkwardness and shyness of sharing a room quietly faded away.
“Let me show you some photos I took at No. 1 High School the other day. Seven years have passed—it’s changed a lot.”
Tang Song pulled out his phone, opened the photo album, and found the pictures.
Liu Qingning’s eyes lit up as she leaned in slightly.
“The trees in front of the senior-year teaching building have grown a lot.”
“They renovated the cafeteria—it has more food stalls now.”
“This spot looks the same. We used to play badminton here all the time.”
They sat close together on the bed, chatting casually.
At some point, Liu Qingning rested her head against his arm.
Tang Song held his phone in his left hand while she scrolled through the photos with her right.
They talked quietly, reminiscing about the past.
Tang Song glanced at her occasionally—the smooth forehead, fluttering eyelashes, delicate nose, soft pink lips, and… full chest…
Rumble!
Thunder rumbled outside, flashes of lightning illuminating the beige curtains.
Liu Qingning instinctively shrank back.
Tang Song swallowed and, without a word, reached out to wrap his arm around her shoulders, his large hand resting gently on her shoulder.
Patter—
Raindrops drummed against the window.
The summer thunderstorms of Shenzhen were just like their racing heartbeats—intense and rapid.
Liu Qingning’s shoulders trembled slightly. She tilted her head up and pouted. “I told you not to move.”
Tang Song grinned. “It’s thundering and raining—I’m a little scared. Holding you makes me feel safer.”
“Liar.” Liu Qingning pinched his thigh lightly.
She didn’t push him away, though. Instead, she nestled closer, resting her left ear against his chest.
She could faintly hear his heartbeat—fast, even quicker than the rain outside.
Her lips curled into a smile as a strange sense of security washed over her.
The rain outside poured harder.
At this moment, on an ordinary rainy Saturday night, he sat in a small room, holding his white moonlight in his arms, reminiscing about their shared past.
Tang Song’s heart softened, his gaze growing hazy.
“Haa—”
Liu Qingning yawned, looking up at him. “It’s almost 11. Let’s sleep?”
“Mhm, sleep.” Tang Song nodded, reluctantly pulling his arm back.
As much as he cherished this moment, sleep was important.
Liu Qingning adjusted their pillows, creating some space between them before lying on her side.
She pulled the summer quilt higher to cover her chest—since she wasn’t wearing a bra, being so close to Tang Song felt awkward.
Tang Song looked at the obediently lying white moonlight and chuckled. “Sleeping in this outfit is uncomfortable, and I don’t have my pajamas here. Mind if I take this off?”
As he spoke, he unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt.
“I do mind!” Liu Qingning pouted. “Xiao Song, I’m warning you—don’t try anything funny.”
This was already embarrassing enough.
If he took his shirt off too, things would get out of hand!
As if imagining something improper, Liu Qingning bit her lip and pinched his waist. “Since when did you become so bad?”
“Didn’t you want to see my gym results?” Tang Song smirked. “Eight-pack abs.”
“Ah! No way! Really?”
“Of course. Want to see?”
“Well… fine. But not taking off your pants!” Liu Qingning blushed.
She was just too curious.
Besides, she had seen him shirtless back in high school—it should be fine.
“Relax.” Tang Song chuckled and hopped off the bed.
Soon, his buttons were undone, and he casually tossed his shirt aside.
Tang Song stood quietly in front of Liu Qingning, his gaze confident and bright.
Lying on her side, Liu Qingning’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at him, dazed.
The warm bedside lamp cast a soft golden glow from the corner of the room, illuminating his tall and lean figure.
The light accentuated the defined ridges of his muscles, giving them a gilded sheen.
His narrow, firm waist created a perfect inverted triangle with his broad shoulders.
His chest was sculpted and taut, rising and falling slightly with his breath—like a meticulously carved marble statue, every contour refined to perfection.
Eight-pack abs lined his abdomen, their crisp definition forming deep crevices that played with the shifting shadows, creating a scene full of strength and aesthetic allure.
Paired with his slightly tousled hair and strikingly handsome features, he radiated an effortless masculine charm.
He really… has eight-pack abs?! And he’s almost got V-lines!
Anyone with a bit of fitness knowledge would know just how difficult it was to achieve such a physique.
If he did this purely on his own, she couldn’t even begin to imagine how much effort Tang Song had put in.
Liu Qingning swallowed unconsciously, her soft lips parting slightly.
It was an instinctive, physiological reaction.
Like how a man would react if a top-tier beauty undressed in front of him.
And with their years of deep connection, she found herself utterly incapable of resisting his allure.
Liu Qingning’s gaze blurred for a moment before she snapped back to reality.
The friend she had secretly admired for so many years… had unknowingly transformed into a true heartthrob.
In terms of looks, physique, and aura, he was undoubtedly among the most outstanding people she had ever met.
A sense of deep satisfaction and joy welled up inside her.
“How about it? Told you I wasn’t lying.” Tang Song subtly tensed his body, making his muscles pop even more—like a child showing off a new toy, flashing a playful grin at his white moonlight.
It added a touch of lightheartedness to his static beauty.
“The air conditioner is still on—don’t catch a cold.” Liu Qingning tugged at the summer quilt, her cheeks gradually heating up.
“No worries, my body’s strong.”
Tang Song climbed back onto the bed, lying on his side beside her.
Out of the corner of her eye, Liu Qingning couldn’t help but glance at his solid abs.
After a slight hesitation, she stretched out a finger and lightly pressed his lower abdomen.
The warmth of his skin sent an electric current through them both.
Liu Qingning let out a soft gasp, her earlobes turning a faint shade of pink.
Unable to resist, she reached out her entire right hand, gently running her fingers over his well-defined abs.
It felt oddly satisfying.
After a while, she looked up, her brows arching in delight. “So firm! Tang Song, you’re amazing!”
Tang Song had heard similar words from older women before, from beauticians at spas.
But hearing them now, spoken by his white moonlight, sent a rush of heat through his veins, making his pulse quicken.
He instinctively held his breath and edged closer to her.
“You like it?”
Liu Qingning quickly withdrew her hand and scooted backward. “Tang Song, don’t come so close—it’s too warm.”
“Then I’ll lower the air conditioning.”
“No need. Just cover yourself with a blanket.”
Tang Song didn’t respond. He simply continued gazing at her, openly admiring her delicate and beautiful face.
In the dim glow of the nightlight, there was a peaceful warmth to the scene.
It had been so long since he had properly looked at her. No matter how much he stared, it never seemed enough.
Their breaths intertwined.
The faint scent of her body wash and facial cleanser lingered on her skin, teasing his senses and stirring his heart.
Their eyes met.
The space between them was barely ten centimeters.
Her large, bright eyes were like a tranquil lake, rippling with invisible waves under his gaze.
The golden light bathed them, making time itself feel slower.
A long silence passed.
“Turn off the light,” Liu Qingning muttered, lowering her head and burying her face under the quilt. “Let’s sleep.”
Tang Song didn’t comply. Instead, his slender fingers traced the contours of her face, gently brushing over her forehead, eyebrows, nose, and lips.
For the first time, he was memorizing her features this way, engraving them deep into his heart.
Liu Qingning suddenly opened her mouth and bit his finger.
She scowled, “If you keep this up, I’ll get mad!”
“It’s been a long time since I saw you angry. I kinda want to see it.” Tang Song chuckled, resting his hand lightly on her.
Liu Qingning’s body stiffened instantly. She shoved his chest and smacked him a few times. “Why are you so bad now?!”
Tang Song’s voice was gentle. “Relax, Qingning. I won’t cross the line.”
“Turn off the light.”
“I think the nightlight’s brightness is just perfect. Let’s sleep like this.”
“Three… two… one…”
Click! The room plunged into darkness.
Liu Qingning smugly hummed in victory and didn’t argue any further. She pulled another summer quilt over him.
Once their eyes adjusted to the dark, they could still make out each other’s silhouettes.
Liu Qingning reached out and lightly tapped his forehead, her voice crisp. “Go to sleep. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Tang Song slid his arm under her pillow and gently pulled her fragrant, soft body into his embrace.
“Mmm…” Liu Qingning let out a quiet whimper, her breath brushing against his skin, making her feel a little lightheaded.
Her full E-cup chest pressed against his.
Tang Song buried his face in her hair, feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment.
After over twenty years of knowing her, he was finally able to fall asleep holding the white moonlight he had longed for.
Realizing this, Liu Qingning lifted her flushed face, looking at him in the darkness.
Her voice trembled slightly. “Didn’t we agree beforehand? You’re taking advantage of me.”
Tang Song whispered, “We hug all the time. How is this taking advantage?”
“This is different. And you’re not wearing a shirt.”
“You are, though. So it’s fine.”
“That’s not the point!”
They muttered a few more words back and forth.
Looking at her face just inches away, Tang Song lowered his head slightly and whispered in her ear, “Go to sleep, Qingning. It’s really late.”
Rumble—
Thunder echoed outside once again.
Liu Qingning’s eyelashes fluttered, but she said nothing more.
Tang Song adjusted his posture and tightened his arms around her.
He knew her too well—since they were already in the same bed, as long as he didn’t push her too far, she would accept it.
Time passed slowly.
Tang Song’s breathing steadied, warm against her hair.
Listening to her own heartbeat, feeling the comfort of his embrace, Liu Qingning slowly closed her eyes.
She liked him—there was no doubt about that.
But even now, they have remained just friends.
Even the impulsive kiss at the KTV had been out of heartbreak for him.
Every intimate touch tonight felt new and nerve-wracking for her.
Eventually, her body relaxed, and she drifted into a deep sleep.
—
August 13, 2023. Sunday.
Morning.
Half-asleep, Liu Qingning shifted slightly, feeling something firm pressing against her thigh.
She instinctively reached out and pushed at it.
A low groan sounded beside her. “Hiss—Qingning, stop moving.”
Liu Qingning barely opened her eyes, mumbling, “What’s so hard?”
“My abs.”
“Oh… I’m sleepy.”
“Then go back to sleep.”
A warm hand gently stroked her back, lulling her into comfort once more.
Liu Qingning closed her eyes again, a peaceful smile on her face.
She was so sleepy.
She usually didn’t wake up until after seven, and it wasn’t even six yet—her body clock hadn’t kicked in.
Feeling the warmth of his white moonlight settle back into deep sleep, Tang Song turned over and sat up, his expression a little awkward.
With all the buffs from his system, his mornings were always… full of energy.
And after Liu Qingning’s little touch just now, he really couldn’t take it anymore.
After calming himself down, he slipped out of bed, threw on his shirt, and quietly left the room.
All his belongings were still at Shenzhen Bay No.1—he had to go back no matter what.
Leaving a message for Liu Qingning on WeChat, he hailed a cab straight to Shenzhen Bay No.1, Tower 8.
—
Back at his apartment, Tang Song headed upstairs, stripped off his clothes, and stepped into the master bathroom.
The floor-to-ceiling window faced the vast expanse of Shenzhen Bay, its cloudy morning sea view carrying a unique charm.
As he admired the scenery, he took his time enjoying a proper shower.
After drying himself off with Secretary Jin’s bath towel, he opened his suitcase and picked out a fresh outfit—
A classic white LV T-shirt, vintage DIOR jeans, and a pair of casual sneakers.
Checking himself in the mirror, he looked stylish yet effortlessly chic.
He made sure Secretary Jin’s Balenciaga stockings were in place, slipped on his watch and glasses, grabbed his suitcase, and headed downstairs.
—
20 Minutes Later
Tang Song unlocked the apartment door with Liu Qingning’s key and walked inside.
Immediately, he spotted her sitting at the desk, typing away on her laptop.
Since the apartment was small, she and Liu Shuang usually worked in the living room.
Hearing the door open, Liu Qingning instantly put down her mouse and keyboard, spinning her chair around.
“You’re back, Tang Song.”
“Morning, Qingning.” Tang Song smiled, placing his suitcase against the wall.
Today’s white moonlight was unusually eye-catching—wearing a snug T-shirt that showed off her natural curves.
The morning sunlight streamed in through the balcony, making her look even more radiant and adorable.
Feeling impulsive, Tang Song pulled out his phone and aimed the camera at her.
Click!Click!
“Hey, hey, hey! No pictures! I’m not wearing makeup!” Liu Qingning jumped up, quickly covering her face with her hands.
“I turned on the beauty filter. You look stunning.”
“That’s not the point! Delete it! You can take photos after I lose some weight!”
“I think your figure is already perfect. Hugging you feels amazing.”
“Ugh! You’re impossible!” Liu Qingning grabbed her slippers and charged at him, her face flushed.
After playfully scuffling in the living room for a while, she finally let him off the hook when she saw that the photos weren’t too bad.
—
“It’s already 7:30. Should we get breakfast and then take a walk around Shenzhen?”
“Let’s go! I’ll take you for some rice noodle rolls.”
Liu Qingning patted his back, grinning as she changed into her sneakers.
—
As they stepped outside, the morning breeze carried a hint of post-rain freshness.
Standing in this bustling southern coastal metropolis, with Tang Song holding her hand beside her, Liu Qingning felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.
She couldn’t help but giggle.
“What’s so funny?”
“You, dummy!” Liu Qingning smacked him lightly before skipping ahead.
Walking backward in front of him, she cupped her hands around her mouth like a microphone and suddenly burst into song—
🎵 “The sky looks like it’s about to rain, I want to live next door to you… Standing under your building, counting the clouds above…” 🎵
As she sang, she tilted her head up, grinning as she pointed to the cloudy sky.
Her high ponytail bounced with every step.
Tang Song’s heart clenched slightly as he watched her carefree expression.
For a moment, the girl in front of him overlapped with the memories of his high school years.
He vividly remembered—
During one class break, the school’s speakers had played this very song, You He Ke Ke (Why Not?).
They had stood in the hallway, with Liu Qingning looking up at him, singing along softly, her face glowing with laughter.
Now, watching her sing again, Tang Song’s eyes softened.
—
Finishing a short verse, Liu Qingning tiptoed up and pinched his sharp, well-defined nose.
She laughed mischievously. “How was that? Good, right? Why aren’t you complimenting me?”
“It was good.”
Liu Qingning pouted. “Lame. That was such a lazy compliment.”
Suddenly, Tang Song stopped walking.
Before she could react, he reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist.
Liu Qingning barely had time to protest before Tang Song leaned in—
And pressed a gentle kiss on her bright, watery eyes.
—
The soft warmth of his lips sent a shock through her body.
Liu Qingning’s face instantly turned scarlet, her long lashes trembling like a butterfly’s fluttering wings.
It took a long moment before she finally found her voice.
“W-What are you doing?!”
Tang Song chuckled. “Didn’t you say my compliment wasn’t sincere enough? This should be more convincing, right?”
“I’m mad! No rice noodle rolls for you!”
Liu Qingning pinched his arm, spun around, and stormed off toward the apartment complex’s entrance.
Tang Song laughed, jogging after her and grabbing her hand again.
Liu Qingning struggled a little, then glared at him—before silently letting him hold on.
—
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
The sound of their heartbeats echoed in their ears.