novelraw Chapter 382: She Said
Chapter 382: She Said
As the last notes of the song faded, the crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Though they had only performed a short segment, Tang Song's skilled guitar playing and emotionally rich voice made the music incredibly moving.
His fingers slowly loosened their grip on the guitar strings, but the emotions within him still surged.
The Wind Rises was a song about reminiscing on youth, the beauty and regrets of love, and the process of letting go of the past.
Last year, when he left Beijing, his feelings had mirrored the lyrics of the song.
That sudden, youthful infatuation, the intoxicating passion and persistence, and later, the regrets and helplessness that settled in.
If it weren’t for the game becoming reality, he probably would have never mustered the courage to face his White Moonlight.
As the applause gradually quieted down, a voice broke through.
"Senior, your guitar playing is incredible!" The female street performer beside him looked at him eagerly. "Do you want to sing a full song?"
In just that short moment, her previously quiet livestream had suddenly gained over 70 viewers, and she had even received a few virtual gifts.Tang Song smiled and shook his head. "Thanks, but I’ll pass."
"Aww, what a shame." The street performer pouted slightly before turning her gaze to the girl standing in front of Tang Song, her expression filled with envy.
Sure, she was cute and pretty, and she had a generous chest—but compared to the guy, she paled in comparison.
Not to mention, he had such beautiful and nimble hands.
If she had a boyfriend like that, she’d probably wake up laughing from her dreams.
As their conversation continued, Liu Qingning finally snapped back to reality.
Even now, she could still hear echoes of Tang Song’s voice in her mind.
As someone who had listened to countless songs, she knew how to judge skill.
Besides the surprise, there was also an indescribable sense of confusion… and unease.
She had always thought she knew everything about Tang Song.
But it seemed—maybe she didn’t.
Her slightly damp lips parted slightly, but she hesitated before finally removing the guitar and gently handing it back to the street performer.
"Thanks."
"No problem, no problem!"
Liu Qingning turned around, locking eyes with Tang Song.
A bright, adorably radiant smile bloomed on her face.
"Wow, when did you secretly learn to play the guitar? And when did you get so good at singing? I had no idea!"
Tang Song gently took her hand in his. "Did you like it? Was it good?"
Liu Qingning looked down at his slender, beautifully sculpted fingers and nodded. "It was amazing. I loved it."
His gaze softened. "In that case, I can sing for you whenever you want."
Feeling the envious gazes of the women around them, Liu Qingning's eyelashes fluttered slightly.
She turned her head away, trying to change the topic. "Ah! Why did you just leave our bags on the ground? What if they got lost?"
Without waiting for his response, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him out of the crowd, picking up the bright orange LV gift bag and her Coach backpack.
"Don’t worry, I was keeping an eye on them the whole time," Li Ziying reassured her.
"Yeah, no way they’d go missing," Zhang Xiaoni added.
Liu Qingning slung her backpack over her shoulder and picked up the LV bag, then glanced around. "Where’s Ping and Qingfeng?"
"Qingfeng got drunk, so Ping took him back to his apartment."
Zhang Xiaoni and Li Ziying explained briefly, but their gazes held a new depth when they looked at Tang Song.
Their impression of him had shifted once again.
Tall and handsome, elegant and confident, and incredibly talented.
This was completely different from the quiet, introverted Tang Song they had known—the one who used to silently follow Liu Qingning around like a supporting character.
Back then, it had always felt like he was the sidekick.
And since the two had never explicitly defined their relationship, it just seemed like they were close friends—which was why they had tried so hard to set her up with Cheng Qingfeng.
But seeing them like this, they finally understood.
Liu Qingning had already made her choice.
Zhang Xiaoni let out a breath and gave him a thumbs-up. "Tang Song, you were amazing just now. Your singing and guitar playing totally blew me away."
Tang Song chuckled. "Thanks for the compliment, but I think Qingning’s singing was even better."
"Alright, alright, enough of the mutual compliments," Liu Qingning playfully patted his chest. "Let’s keep walking. Xiaoni, Ziying, weren’t you guys planning to check out MixC Mall? Let’s go."
As the night deepened, the neon lights in the distance shone brightly.
Liu Qingning, still glowing with joy, held Tang Song’s hand and walked alongside Zhang Xiaoni and Li Ziying, chatting about the nearby landmarks.
They passed Houhai Metro Station and continued forward. Soon, the brightly lit, bustling Shenzhen Bay MixC Mall came into view.
"Oh wow, Qingning! Look!" Zhang Xiaoni patted her shoulder excitedly, pointing ahead. "Your tower’s light show is happening right now!"
"Damn, it really is gorgeous—no wonder it’s a landmark!"
The four of them looked up at the towering skyscraper in the distance.
A blend of deep blue and white lights traced the building’s sleek lines in synchronized waves, creating the illusion of data flowing across a digital network.
The exterior lighting simulated codes and circuit chips in motion, forming a visually striking spectacle against the night sky.
"So beautiful!" Liu Qingning stood beside Tang Song, her eyes shimmering as she gazed at the skyscraper—one that happened to share her name.
Just then, she felt a hand gently wrap around her waist.
She stiffened slightly but didn’t push him away.
Instead, she instinctively straightened her posture, pulling in her stomach as if to hide any traces of extra weight.
The four of them stood there in the warm, brightly lit plaza, watching the light show for a full five minutes.
Then, Li Ziying suddenly asked, "Qingning, are you coming with us to shop?"
Liu Qingning smiled and lifted the LV gift bag. "Nah, I’m good. I already got a new bag!"
"Alright," Li Ziying nodded, then pointed at the LV bag. "Then at least show us what Tang Song got you. We’re curious!"
"Yeah, open it! He’s been holding onto that bag for like half an hour—might as well see what’s inside," Zhang Xiaoni added.
Liu Qingning glanced at Tang Song, then gave a slight nod.
She placed the gift bag on a nearby stone bench and carefully pulled out the elegant box inside.
Lifting the lid, she saw a small, delicately shaped handbag wrapped in a white dust bag.
She reached in and gently lifted it out.
"Capucines Mini?" Li Ziying blurted out in surprise.
As one of LV’s most iconic, elegant, and valuable handbag series, its timeless design made it instantly recognizable.
It was also a dream luxury item for many women.
Liu Qingning stared at the exquisite, beautifully crafted bag in her hands.
It had soft blue and rosy hues, with clearly defined crocodile leather textures that shimmered under the lights.
The diamond-studded clasp sparkled brilliantly, perfectly complementing the luxurious material.
It suited her name, her style—everything about her.
But…
Its price was far beyond what she had expected.
"Wait… is this the crocodile leather version of the Capucines Mini?" Li Ziying took a closer look, then turned to Tang Song in shock. "Is this the Blue Silk Rose Diamond Crocodile edition? I saw it at the MixC Mall boutique last week."
"How much is it?" Zhang Xiaoni asked curiously.
"Retail price… 230,000 yuan."
"… 230,000?!" Zhang Xiaoni gawked at the bag, then at Tang Song.
Liu Qingning took a deep breath and locked eyes with him.
In his gaze, she saw honesty, warmth, love… and guilt.
Before Li Ziying could say more, Liu Qingning suddenly smiled and cut in.
"I think I drank too much tonight. My head kinda hurts. Tang Song, walk with me by the sea?"
"Bye-bye."
"Bye-bye."
They watched as Zhang Xiaoni and Li Ziying disappeared into the mall.
Liu Qingning bent down slightly, carefully placing the Capucines Mini back into its gift bag before tucking it securely inside.
Lowering her head, she began walking eastward alone.
Tang Song took a deep breath and quickened his pace to catch up with her.
The two of them walked in silence, making their way toward the park along the Shenzhen Bay coastline, passing by countless couples along the way.
The humid night breeze swept in from the sea, gently lifting her long, draped hair.
After hesitating for a moment, Tang Song softly took her hand.
Liu Qingning glanced up at him but didn’t say a word.
Eventually, they reached an open grassy field and sat down.
She leaned her head gently against his shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Tang Song."
"Mm."
"This bag is really beautiful. I love it. I’ve seen it a few times in stores before."
"As long as you like it."
"You’ve grown even more handsome since high school, and your body is amazing too. You’ve really changed. Also, when did you learn to play the guitar?"
Tang Song fell silent for a moment before answering. "During college."
From what he had learned so far, everything from the game storyline had actually played out in real life.
In Heartthrob Growth Plan, he had acquired his guitar skills through an instance before recruiting Su Yu in 2017—during his first year of university.
"Haha, impressive. And I had no idea." Liu Qingning chuckled softly. "Then again, I was really busy back then, always making sure you focused on your studies."
"It’s my fault—I never told you."
She suddenly asked, "Where did you get the money to buy this bag?"
Tang Song answered honestly, "I earned it myself. I started a livestream e-commerce company, and it’s doing really well. Also… I’ve been involved in several startup ventures since college and still hold shares in a few companies."
Some things had to be said sooner or later.
He had never planned to hide anything from her.
Hearing his words, Liu Qingning froze.
She lifted her head, staring into his eyes in disbelief.
After a long moment—realizing that he wasn’t joking—she suddenly asked,
"Then… are you rich now?"
"Very rich."
"Are you happy?"
"Yes, I am."
"Do you own a home?"
"Yes, a large flat in Yan City."
"Oh… congratulations."
She lowered her head, smiling faintly. "I always said that a smart and ambitious guy like you would go far."
Tang Song let out a slow exhale.
His memories drifted back to the dreamlike recollections of their high school days—the moments on the track field, the fleeting glances, the words left unsaid.
Liu Qingning hugged her knees to her chest, resting her chin against them.
"I just realized... I don’t really know you anymore."
She paused, then corrected herself. "No, I don’t know the you that exists now."
Tang Song’s gaze flickered, his lips parting.
"Qingning, I…"
He hesitated.
Facing his White Moonlight, now at the moment of truth—his heart trembled.
But before he could speak, she gently shook her head.
"No, it’s not just you. I share the blame too."****"
"You had no obligation to tell me these things. And I never noticed."
During college, they had been in different cities.
She had been busy—always busy.
Busy with studying, club activities, part-time jobs…
They only met during holidays, on rare occasions.
And unlike in high school, he wasn’t always lingering in her peripheral vision anymore.
Later, she followed Professor Wang, diving into project research and entrepreneurship competitions. Read full story at NoveI★Fire.net
Then came the gruelling startup journey, squeezing every last bit of her personal time and space.
Looking back now, she realized—
She had completely missed out on an incredibly important phase of Tang Song’s life.
Her most vivid memories of him were still stuck in high school.
She took a deep breath, then suddenly lifted her head.
"Tang Song, do you have a girlfriend?"
He struggled to open his mouth.
"I won’t lie to you—I do."
Liu Qingning’s breath hitched.
Her eyes widened as she let out a forced laugh.
"Ha! I knew it. A guy like you—successful and handsome—there’s no way you’d be single."
"Honestly, seeing you doing so well now makes me really happy. One day, when I’m less busy, I’ll come visit you in Yan City. See your big house. Meet your girlfriend."
Tang Song clenched his fists. "I’m sorry, Qingning. After I left Beijing, so much happened. I—"
"Why are you apologizing?"
Her lips pressed together as she looked at him, her gaze firm.
"We were always just friends, weren’t we?"
Under the dim streetlights, her face appeared unnaturally pale.
Then, Tang Song finally spoke the words buried in his heart.
"I love you."
His voice was low, almost trembling.
"I’ve loved you since we were kids. I’ve loved you for so, so many years."
"Because of your words—‘See you at the top’—I’ve spent all these years working hard."
Their eyes locked for a long time.
Her bright, beautiful eyes began to shimmer with tears.
"Drip. Drip."
One by one, glistening teardrops fell.
His three "I love you"s finally shattered her defenses.
Liu Qingning’s lips trembled.
But in the end—she couldn’t hold it in.
She lowered her head and sobbed.
Pain crashed over her like a tidal wave, followed by an overwhelming sense of regret.
Subconsciously, she had always considered herself the center of their connection.
During their school days, she had thought of Tang Song as someone who depended on her.
She had planned their future, pushed both of them forward, and expected him to follow her lead.
But she had never clearly expressed her own feelings.
She had always just been his best friend.
And as time passed, she overlooked something important.
Tang Song was his own person.
He had his own emotions, his own needs, his own choices.
Maybe, somewhere in their years of missed chances, his love had started to fade.
Liu Qingning lifted her tear-filled gaze to him.
Tang Song took a deep breath, about to say something—
But then, a familiar warmth crashed against his lips.
Her kiss was salty, bitter… and sweet.
"Thump. Thump. Thump."
His heartbeat raced uncontrollably.
Up close, his White Moonlight stared at him stubbornly, her tears still rolling down like shattered diamonds—like fleeting shooting stars.
She had thought that as long as he was happy, as long as the girl he loved was better than her, she would be able to let go.
But now, faced with reality—
She realized how foolish that idea had been.
Just like when Professor Wang had questioned her.
Since high school graduation, she had been planning their future—and she had given everything to make it happen.
How could she let go so easily?
She couldn’t.
Even if his girlfriend was Su Yu—she still couldn’t accept it.
The sharp sting on his lips brought Tang Song back to reality.
Then—her trembling voice rang in his ears.
"If I tell you now… that I like you too. That I like you very much."
"Do we still have a chance?"