novelraw Chapter 403: A Sudden Encounter
Chapter 403: A Sudden Encounter
Beicheng Garden Residential Complex
"Ahhhhhh!"
Xu Qing clutched a pillow, rolling and tossing around on her bed.
Her face was flushed red as she muttered nonstop.
"That damn Little Song, how dare he bully me like that!"
"Tonight, I’ll make you kneel on a keyboard in my novel! And you’ll have to kiss my feet!"
"Hmph! You’ll even have to knock your knees together and write ‘Xu Qing, I was wrong’ a hundred times!"
After venting to herself for a while, the embarrassment and nervousness in her heart finally eased a little.
Recalling what had happened in the car, Xu Qing still felt a tingling sensation.
Even though she had resisted, Tang Song had still placed his hand there for quite a while—even if it was just over her tights.It was a strange feeling, soft and electric, like she was floating.
So much so that as soon as she got back to the company, she had to hide in the restroom for a bit.
And since she had received a pricey Qixi Festival gift, she didn’t dare stay at work for long.
She was terrified someone might steal her gift box while she was eating.
So, she just took the day off and went straight home.
Wiggling her hips slightly, Xu Qing sat up and quickly walked over to her desk.
Looking at the Qixi gift box on the tabletop, her dark, round eyes sparkled with excitement and delight.
"If it weren’t for the fact that you personally delivered the gift, I definitely wouldn’t forgive you! I’d even report you and have you locked up!"
She huffed proudly, but her fingers couldn’t help tracing the golden exterior of the box.
This was the best gift she had ever received. She could already tell she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.
Her eyes darted around as an idea struck her.
Picking up her phone, she was just about to show off in her cosplay group chat, but before she could, she was distracted by a flood of trending news.
Su Yu announced her relationship on Weibo again!?
She casually clicked on one of the posts—her eyes widened in shock.
"Nani!?"
What did she just see!?
Su Yu’s Qixi gift looked just like hers!
Except… Su Yu’s was bigger, more luxurious, and still golden.
Compared to that, her own gift felt like a budget-friendly version.
But even so, it was still a big deal! After all, it was a Su Yu limited edition!
Xu Qing, also known as the “Mini Su Yu” of the cosplay world, truly lived up to her reputation!
She giggled to herself, snapped a photo of her gift box, and dropped it into the buzzing cosplay group chat.
Xu Qing: "Qixi gift from my crush, a Su Yu limited edition box. (Gazing at the stars) He insisted on giving it to me—I couldn’t even refuse. He said if I didn’t accept it, he wouldn’t let me leave."
Boom!
The group chat exploded.
【"Why does this box look so familiar?"】
【"It looks a lot like Su Yu’s! @Qingqing, where did your crush buy it? Got a link?"】
【"I want one too! Drop the link, please!"】
【"@Qingqing, can you show us what’s inside? I’m a hardcore Su Yu fan—I really want one!"】
As expected, Su Yu’s influence was massive. Even members who had been lurking all this time finally came online.
Xu Qing chuckled, unclasped the box, carefully opened it, and pulled out the small drawers inside.
She took a picture and sent it to the chat.
Seeing the chat gradually fall silent, she burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.
Just the CAPECOD watch alone was worth 50-60K, not to mention the custom bracelet.
The total value of the gift box was definitely over 100K.
She didn’t know the exact number, but one thing was certain—none of these people could afford it.
She had to admit, Tang Song was shameless and a complete scoundrel, but when it came to gift-giving, he was incredibly generous.
Thinking back to what happened today, to Tang Song, and to what happened in the car…
Xu Qing squeezed her legs together, her face heating up again.
She suddenly felt inspired—maybe she should write another spicy short story tonight.
Of course, she told herself, it was just to pay back her writing debt. It had nothing to do with her imagination running wild!
Just then—
"Ding-dong—"
A WeChat notification popped up.
It was a message sent to her secondary account.
Xiaojing: "Big Sis Qingqing, did you receive your boyfriend’s Qixi gift?"
Xu Qing smirked and replied proudly, "Mm, I got it already, but it’s just some luxury goods. I’m not that interested. I’m more focused on my career development."
Xiaojing: "Oh wow! Did our boyfriends give us similar gifts? I also got luxury items, and they’re really pretty—I love them."
…Hey, hey, hey!
Xiaojing, watch your wording!
What do you mean ‘our boyfriends’!?
That could easily cause a misunderstanding!
Xu Qing’s face heated up.
"Buzz buzz buzz—"
Another message.
Xiaojing: (Qixi gift box.jpg)
Xu Qing tapped to open the image—and her eyes widened instantly.
(°口°)!
What the heck!?
They were exactly the same!
Wait… could it be…
Did Tang Song actually consider me his girlfriend too!?
That scoundrel!
I never even agreed to it!
And judging by the time, Tang Song must have gone straight from Yuhua Business Tower to Xiaojing’s place!
Tsk! What a player!
Hmph! I, Xu Qing, am a respectable person!
A professional in the legal field!
I would never interfere in someone else’s relationship!
She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure.
Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard before she typed:
"That’s a beautiful gift box. Did you two have fun on Qixi?" The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel fire.net
Xiaojing: "o(///▽//)q How do I put this, Big Sis Qingqing… um… I just finished washing my bed sheets."
Xu Qing’s face instantly turned red.
Her heart pounded.
She quickly replied:
"You guys… did it?"
Xiaojing: "No, no, no! Of course not!"
Xu Qing exhaled in relief.
Xiaojing: "It’s just… my boyfriend scolded me. I’m still lying on the bed right now..."
Xiaojing: "And besides that, he made me *****, and then… then…"
Xu Qing: === (#><)
Poor Little Song…
In the end, he still got played by Xiaojing, the ultimate troublemaker!
At this rate, he might even end up becoming just like her…
No way!
What if he gets addicted and starts treating me like he does Xiaojing!?
What would I do then!?
Beicheng Garden Residential Complex
Xu Qing shuddered, a chill running down her spine.
She was not like Xiaojing—she wasn’t into that kind of thing! Just thinking about it gave her a sense of unease.
A feeling of… being overpowered.
"Buzz buzz buzz—"
Xiaojing: "Big Sis Qingqing, you should give it a try too! After all, your boyfriend has those ‘manga hands’—it would be perfect if…"
On WeChat, Xiaojing was still typing, giving a very detailed explanation.
Xu Qing’s body felt warm just reading it, but instead of lingering on that thought—her mind burst with creativity.
She immediately sat down at her desk, fingers flying across the keyboard, writing out a new story.
The more she wrote, the more into it she got.
Her whole body tingled with excitement, but at a certain point—she simply couldn’t continue.
Instead, she tiptoed over to her bedroom door, locked it, and pulled the curtains shut.
The scorching afternoon heat filled the air with a damp, lingering warmth.
Shimmer Coffee Headquarters
Tang Song casually closed the office door behind him, stepping toward Xie Shuyu with a bright smile.
"Surprised, Sister Shuyu?"
He had eaten a lot at Xiaojing’s place earlier, and after spending nearly an hour with her, he had felt a little tired.
Luckily, with the help of a Recovery Potion, he was instantly back to full energy.
So, he had driven straight to Huayun Center, hoping to cheer up his seemingly lonely CEO girlfriend.
Xie Shuyu pursed her red lips, glancing at him briefly before saying, "Why the sudden visit?"
Tang Song met her gaze. "You already know why."
Xie Shuyu instinctively looked away, casually pointing at the gift bag in his hand.
"Heh, let me guess… Qixi Festival?"
Tang Song grinned, lifting the gift box in front of her.
"Sister Shuyu, happy Qixi!"
Xie Shuyu reached out and took the box, setting it on her desk.
"Thank you, I appreciate it. But honestly, there’s no need for all this. If you're busy, a simple phone call would have been enough. I don’t really care much for formalities."
As she spoke, she walked behind her desk and casually handed him another box.
"Here, this is for you."
Tang Song raised an eyebrow.
"This is… my Qixi gift?"
"Mm, a Sony wireless Bluetooth headset. I remember you’re into tech gadgets."
"Thanks."
Tang Song took the gift and unwrapped the packaging, revealing a sleek, white earphone case.
It was square-shaped, wrapped in a protective layer, with "SONY WH-1000XM5" printed on top alongside an oval headphone icon.
Running his fingers over the smooth casing, Tang Song genuinely appreciated the gift.
"I really like it. I actually needed a new pair of headphones. You were really thoughtful, Sister Shuyu—thank you."
Seeing his reaction, Xie Shuyu finally felt relieved.
She playfully patted his arm.
"As long as you like it. I don’t really know much about these things—Xiaomin helped me pick it out."
"It’s still from you, and that’s what matters."
Tang Song set the headphones aside and took a moment to admire her outfit.
Unlike her usual professional attire, today she looked especially elegant.
A white spaghetti-strap dress with a light shawl draped over her shoulders, paired with white high heels.
Her naturally fair skin—one of the fairest among the women he knew—was beautifully accentuated by the soft hues of her dress.
Standing tall with a slender waist and long legs, she looked like a perfect embodiment of grace and sophistication.
The white fabric complemented her so well—it was like snow settling on ice, exuding a cold yet alluring beauty.
She was… stunning.
Sensing his heated gaze, Xie Shuyu casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smoothly changed the topic.
"Since you’re here, take a seat. Let’s go over the company's post-financing growth strategy. Now that we’ve secured a major investment, I have some new ideas I want to discuss with you."
She turned and started walking toward the small lounge area in her office.
But before she could take another step, Tang Song caught her wrist.
She stopped.
"What is it?"
"Work can wait. We just met—shouldn’t we talk about something more personal first?"
Xie Shuyu sighed, shaking her head.
"Fine. But this is still the office. We need to be mindful of the setting."
"It’s okay—I already told Xiaomin not to let anyone disturb us."
"You…"
Xie Shuyu hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words.
Tang Song stepped closer, breathing in the fresh, subtle fragrance on her skin.
"Sister Shuyu, you look absolutely stunning today. The moment I walked in, I was completely mesmerized. I still haven’t recovered from the shock. From now on, you have to dress up like this more often—you’re breathtaking."
Xie Shuyu rarely put on such meticulous makeup, nor did she often wear figure-enhancing dresses like this.
It was a refreshing change, and it caught him completely off guard.
"Thanks for the compliment," Xie Shuyu chuckled softly, her smile blooming like a delicate flower.
She had to admit—having a younger, energetic boyfriend had its perks.
The emotional support alone was top-notch.
After a brief pause, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"Happy Qixi, Tang Song."
Her silky black hair swayed slightly with the motion, as smooth as flowing silk.
She was about to take a step back—but Tang Song had already wrapped his arm around her waist.
Their eyes met.
Tang Song’s gaze was bright.
"Aren’t you going to compliment me back?"
"Pfft—"
Xie Shuyu's shoulders shook slightly as she laughed, her body swaying lightly.
Seeing Tang Song act so playfully, she found it oddly adorable.
She met his gaze.
His skin was smooth, his hair dark and slightly tousled, his features sharp yet refined.
And with today’s traditional-style outfit, he exuded an undeniable charm.
"You're incredibly handsome today—I love it."
Tang Song shook his head.
"Not sweet enough."
"Oh?"
Xie Shuyu arched an eyebrow, smiling.
"Then what would be sweet enough? Do I need to say it while eating candy?"
Her EQ was high—when dealing with both her boyfriend and her investor, she never minded saying a few extra sweet words.
Tang Song blinked, then leaned in and kissed her lips, gently savoring the moment.
[Mission Progress: 5/9]
Xie Shuyu's arms tensed slightly, but soon, she relaxed, closing her eyes.
She let herself immerse in the warmth of the moment.
Tang Song took in her elegant features, recalling their past moments together, cherishing the softness of her lips.
He was enjoying this—but he could tell she wasn’t entirely at ease.
Her teeth remained pressed together, and she wasn’t initiating anything—just letting him kiss her.
Perhaps it was simply because they hadn’t been this close before.
So instead of pressing further, he trailed soft kisses down to her cheek, his hands lightly resting on her slim waist.
His lips moved lower, finally pressing a gentle kiss on her collarbone.
"Ah!"
Xie Shuyu gasped, her body tensing at the unfamiliar sensation.
She quickly placed a finger over his lips.
"Stop! That’s enough—we should set some boundaries."
She still looked composed, but her rapid breathing betrayed her.
Tang Song sighed but smiled, holding her close for a moment longer before letting go.
5:00 PM – Shimmer Coffee (Morning Star Tower Branch)
"Mom, don’t worry about me—I’m doing great!"
"I get plenty of free food at the café—I’ve even gained weight."
"Mm-hmm, I promise I’ll visit during Chinese New Year."
"Alright, I need to clock out now. Talk later!"
After ending her WeChat call, Qian Lele’s face was filled with a bright, cheerful smile.
Her current income was actually quite good.
Between her café job, front-end development work, and fruit tea sales, she was making around 8,000 yuan per month.
Of course, this was only during summer break.
Once school started, she would cut back on work, and her fruit tea business would pause due to lack of resources.
But even so, she was more than satisfied.
For the first time in her life, she felt financially comfortable—enough that she splurged a little.
She had ordered new appliances for her family:
A hairdryer, an induction stove, a rice cooker, a cutting board, plus bags of rice and cooking oil.
Their old household items were years old, constantly malfunctioning.
This was her little wish come true—and she had achieved it with her own hard-earned money.
Checking the mini-program’s backend one last time, she confirmed that everything was running smoothly.
She then gently closed her laptop, stroking its cover before tucking it into her backpack.
She had used this old laptop for nearly two years—it was time to upgrade to a new one.
Carrying her backpack, she stepped out of the employee area.
Today was Qixi Festival, and the café was filled with a warm, romantic atmosphere.
"Bye, Sister Zhao!"
"Bye-bye, Nana!"
"Bye-bye!"
After politely bidding farewell to her colleagues, Qian Lele walked toward the exit.
As she passed the front display, she paused for a moment.
A beautiful tiramisu cake sat in the window, surrounded by elegant couple-themed decorations, glowing under the café’s soft lights.
At some point, every time she saw tiramisu, a memory flashed before her eyes.
The candle-lit cake, the Cinderella-like birthday wish, and the boy who had been watching her that night…
That warm summer evening, the scent of rain, the breeze that carried their laughter…
She smiled at the memory, pushed open the glass door, and stepped into the bustling city streets.
Then—a shadow appeared beside hers.
The breeze tousled her hair, and as if sensing something, Qian Lele instinctively turned her head.
And just like that—his figure entered her line of sight.