novelraw Chapter 405: Happy Birthday, A Heartthrob’s Privilege
Chapter 405: Happy Birthday, A Heartthrob’s Privilege
Shunmeng KTV – Luxury Private Room
“Oh wow, you’re right! I almost forgot today’s Qixi Festival.” Xue Fei glanced at Yao Lingling, then jokingly said, “So, here’s the thing—my family’s been setting me up for blind dates lately, and it’s been so annoying. But if Lingling is willing to be my girlfriend, I guess I can make an exception.”
Their eyes met.
Yao Lingling smirked. “Pfft—like I’m desperate or something. I’ll take the gift, but you can see yourself out. Hehe.”
“Fine, fine, I knew I wouldn’t be that lucky.” Xue Fei chuckled and shook his head, though a flicker of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
Many truths are spoken in jest.
After spending four years together in college, he had genuinely grown fond of Yao Lingling.
She was warm-hearted, funny, and fiercely loyal.
They could pull all-nighters at internet cafés playing CS:GO,
drink and eat skewers until the restaurant shut down,or even casually rate campus beauties they passed by.
And though she wasn’t the curvy type, her round and perky figure made her quite popular with guys.
As one of her long-time friends, he had just wanted to test the waters—see if there was even a chance.
“I have a gift for Lingling too!”
A playful voice rang out from the speakers.
Everyone turned toward Li Shumin, who was holding a microphone.
Zhang Jiahong raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you already give her something?”
That morning, when they first woke up, both she and Li Shumin had already given Lingling their gifts.
“Haha.” Li Shumin grinned. “Technically, I’m just delivering this one on behalf of someone else.”
“Wait…” Zhang Jiahong instantly caught on and blurted out, “Your boss—Xiao Mingxuan?”
“Bingo! Our dear President Xiao!”
With a snap of her fingers, Li Shumin pulled a sleek gift bag from her purse and placed it in front of Yao Lingling.
“Here you go, birthday girl—this is a little surprise from President Xiao.”
The Chanel logo on the bag instantly made a few girls’ eyes sparkle.
“Wow, he’s really generous! First, a luxury private room, and now Chanel?!”
“I wish I were Lingling—this is such a dream birthday.”
“Lingling, hurry up and open it!”
Yao Lingling reached in and pulled out a small black box.
Opening it, she saw a blinged-out double-C necklace.
A wave of envious gasps and playful teasing filled the room.
This particular necklace had gone viral online and was priced at around 10,000 yuan.
Beside her, Xue Fei’s expression subtly shifted—his brow twitched slightly, and his smile became a bit forced.
Being a Yan City local, his family was well-off, but compared to someone like Xiao Mingxuan, he just couldn’t compete.
Yao Lingling glanced at Li Shumin, who was making a goofy face at her.
She sighed internally.
It’s not that she didn’t want to refuse—it’s just that… it was impossible.
Xiao Mingxuan was not only her friend but also her company’s executive. She already owed him so many favors.
On her birthday, he had generously booked a VIP room, given her an expensive gift,
but never said anything about confessing his feelings.
Just like that—he kept things light and casual, treating it as a gift from a friend and boss.
So what could she do?
Walk up to him and say, "Hey, I actually like someone else."?
That would make her look insane.
In the past, she always reciprocated by buying a gift in return.
For example—after getting her salary, she had:
✔ Bought a custom suit for Tang Song.
✔ Purchased a Suzuki UY125 scooter.
✔ Spent 5,000 yuan on a high-end Nikon camera lens for Xiao Mingxuan.
But now?
He had outdone her again.
…Forget it. She’d figure something out later.
Shaking her head, Yao Lingling pushed aside the thought.
She was an optimist—she never let herself dwell on things too much.
"Alright, alright! Ladies and gentlemen, start picking songs! We’re about to cut the cake soon!"
Zhang Jiahong checked her phone, then stepped outside the room.
Outside Shunmeng KTV – In a Mercedes-Benz
"Ring, ring, ring—"
Tang Song pressed the call button on his steering wheel. “Hello, Jiahong?”
Through the car’s speakers, Zhang Jiahong’s voice came through:
“Hey, senpai! Sooo… you’re still coming, right?”
Tang Song glanced at his GPS. “Sorry, traffic’s a bit heavy. I’ll be there in 7 or 8 minutes.”
“No worries! As long as you’re coming. Lingling’s been nonstop talking about you.”
Hearing that, Tang Song chuckled.
"Yeah, it’s been a while since I last saw her. I miss her too."
The last time they met was two months ago.
Since then, they had only chatted occasionally on WeChat.
He knew she had recently been promoted to designer, received a nice performance bonus, and bought a Suzuki scooter.
A soft laugh came through the speakers.
“Oh, senpai—let me give you a little secret. Lingling’s been working out her glutes lately. Her figure’s way better now, and her butt’s really perky.”
Tang Song paused for a second.
“…Oh?" He smirked. "Guess I’ll have to see for myself then."
“Haha! If it’s you, senpai, you could even take a picture! Lingling definitely wouldn’t mind. Alright, I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll send you the private room number on WeChat. Once you get to Shunmeng KTV, just call me—I’ll come get you."
"Got it. See you soon."
As he ended the call, a wide grin spread across Tang Song’s face.
Lingling may not be very top-heavy, but she definitely made up for it in other ways.
A wide pelvis, curvy thighs—
A classic pear-shaped body.
The last time he had ridden on the backseat of her scooter,
he had gotten a very clear feel of those curves.
This junior of his sure knew how to play to her strengths.
The silver Mercedes weaved through the evening traffic, slowly making its way into Minghui Plaza’s underground parking lot.
Pulling into B3, Tang Song parked the car, grabbed a Qixi gift box from his trunk, and headed toward the elevator.
Inside the Private Room – The Party Continues
Glasses and bottles clinked, conversations and music intertwined,
creating a lively and chaotic atmosphere.
Seated on the sofa, Cheng Qiuqiu held a crystal-clear wine glass, her face expressionless.
She wanted to join in—after all, it was her friend’s birthday.
But sometimes, she just didn’t know what to say.
And when she stayed silent for too long, it made her seem even colder and more distant.
So instead, she simply sat there, listening to the laughter around her.
Her new friend, Yao Lingling, truly had an infectious energy—
she could light up the whole room just by being herself.
Cheng Qiuqiu envied that.
But she could never be that way.
“Qiuqiu! Don’t just sit there—come sing with us!”
Yao Lingling bounced over, clinked glasses with her, and downed half a bottle of Wusu beer.
Cheng Qiuqiu took a small sip. “You guys go ahead.”
“Alright, alright. At least eat something first. I’ll drink with you later.”
Yao Lingling patted her shoulder before jumping back into the crowd.
She knew Qiuqiu just needed time.
A few drinks later, once the mood was right,
everything would fall into place.
"Come on, Lingling! Let’s do a duet!" Xue Fei excitedly handed over the microphone.
Yao Lingling glanced at the big screen—it was A Little Sweet by Wang Sulong and By2.
One of her absolute favorite KTV songs. She always picked it. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel✶fire.net
Grinning, she took the mic.
The crisp, melodious intro played, and soon, the first verse began.
Xue Fei was just about to sing when—
Lingling beat him to it, sweetly taking over the male part.
"Pick an apple, waiting for you to pass by my door, put it in your hands to quench your thirst..."
Not only that, but she seamlessly transitioned into the female part as well.
She even made a playful face at Xue Fei while singing.
Her clear, sweet voice filled the private room.
Xue Fei didn’t even try to fight for the mic—he just held onto it, watching her sing with a smile in his eyes.
Yao Lingling flashed a victorious expression before dancing her way toward the corner of the room.
The lights flickered and shifted, casting colorful hues across the walls.
She swayed to the rhythm, playfully batting at the balloons and flowers around her.
As an art student, aside from her talent in drawing, she was actually a decent dancer too.
BGM:
"I don’t know why, my wounds haven't healed, but you still barged into my heart..."
Tonight was her 23rd birthday.
Her best friends, classmates, and colleagues were all here.
Her parents had sent their love and gifts.
She felt incredibly happy.
If there was one thing missing…
It was that Tang Song-senpai wasn’t here.
She had actually posted her birthday note on Little Red Book,
but Tang Song had barely been active lately—
he probably hadn’t seen it.
The KTV lights flashed and danced, casting colorful beams across the walls.
As she sang, she would occasionally point at a friend, making cute faces at them.
Her whole body radiated the energy and joy of youth.
Slowly, more and more people began swaying along with her, singing the chorus together.
Even the usually reserved Cheng Qiuqiu had a light smile on her lips, clapping along to the beat.
Laughter and music blended seamlessly.
But then… the door to the private room slowly opened.
A tall, striking figure appeared in the doorway.
In an instant, the laughter died down.
One by one, heads turned toward the entrance.
A moment of silence.
Whether male or female, everyone froze.
Even Yao Lingling, still mid-song, noticed the shift in atmosphere.
Still singing, she turned to look—
BGM:
"Like cola in summer, like cocoa in winter, you are the right person at the right time..."
Her voice trailed off.
The smile on her face stiffened.
Her singing wavered, trembled, then completely fell apart.
All eyes shifted toward the unexpected guest.
Messy black strands of hair, beautifully defined lips, a sharp nose, and deep, luminous eyes.
A custom-fitted, traditional-style shirt accentuated his sculpted physique.
Under the bright lights, the delicate embroidery on his shirt reflected a subtle shimmer—
like rain threads woven in the wind, carrying a hint of coolness.
Their eyes met.
He flashed a stunning smile, raised a hand gracefully, and said:
"Happy birthday, Lingling."
His voice was clear, rich, and magnetic.
The room's girls turned red instantly.
Li Shumin glanced between Tang Song and Yao Lingling, her expression turning peculiar.
Lingling had sworn she hadn’t invited him.
Yet here he was.
Damn.
Tang Song was getting hotter and hotter.
Strictly speaking, even Xiao Mingxuan paled in comparison to him.
On the sofa, Cheng Qiuqiu instinctively straightened her back, staring in disbelief.
It had been over a month since she last saw him.
Never did she expect to bump into him here, at Lingling’s birthday party.
At the sight of his face, memories flooded back—
The motorcycle ride.
The song New Boy.
The backseat of the Double-R.
The closeness. The pounding heartbeat.
The strange reaction.
Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably, lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something—
"Tang Song-senpai...?"
A sharp voice suddenly broke through the quiet.
Yao Lingling gawked, pointing at him in shock.
"Wait, wait—you’re actually here?!"
Her eyes were as wide as saucers.
"Is this real?!"
Tang Song chuckled, amused.
"Want to come touch me to make sure?"
Her flat A-cup chest rose and fell dramatically.
She took a few steps forward, reached out, and lightly pinched his cheek.
A warm, smooth texture.
Completely real.
Thump-thump-thump—
Her heartbeat began racing.
"You’re really here!" She swallowed, feeling flustered and shy.
"How did you even know I was here?"
Zhang Jiahong grinned. "I told him. Surprised?"
"Ah—" Yao Lingling patted her on the shoulder.
"You didn’t even give me a heads-up! Geez!"
Her face grew hotter, and she kept sneaking glances at Tang Song from the corner of her eye.
Her emotions were a mix of joy and nervous excitement,
making her feel as light as air.
"Heh, acting all bashful now?" Zhang Jiahong teased.
The others finally pieced it together.
So this was the Computer Science senpai they had mentioned before.
Looking at Tang Song, Liu Zixin and the others exchanged stunned glances.
They were also from Yan City University of Technology—
How the hell had they never heard of this legend before?!
A guy like him, even if he were covered in mud,
would still be the most striking person in any crowd.
Chen Wan’s mind went blank.
Wait, what?!
Lingling’s online romance—from Little Red Book—looked like this?!
Are you kidding me?!
"Sorry, traffic was bad, so I got here a little late."
Tang Song’s gaze softened, and he smiled gently, handing over a silk gift bag.
"For you—your birthday gift."
"Ah?"
Yao Lingling sucked in a breath, stumbling over her words.
"Wait… this is… for me? A birthday gift?"
Tang Song nodded.
"Of course. And since today is also Qixi Festival, you can even consider it a Qixi gift."
His eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Right, my cyber girlfriend?"
The moment "girlfriend" left his lips—
Yao Lingling short-circuited.
Her hands tightened around the microphone.
On Little Red Book, she had often joked about being April’s girlfriend,
calling themselves “a regular Yan City couple”.
Tang Song would always play along and call her his girlfriend too.
But that was all just for fun.
Now—
At her birthday party,
on Qixi Festival,
in front of all her friends—
he actually called her that.
Blood drained from her face. Then rushed back, turning her beet red.
Her mind went blank.
Her HP bar hit zero.
She was on the verge of combusting.
The girls in the room all looked at her enviously.
"Hellooo? Why are you just standing there?" Zhang Jiahong nudged her.
"If you don’t want the gift, I’ll take it."
"In your dreams!"
Yao Lingling snatched the silk bag.
"Thank you, senpai."
Tang Song smirked. "You’re welcome."
Zhang Jiahong’s eyes sparkled. "Come on, Lingling—open it up!"
Tang Song was a slowly cultivated male god in their Little Red Book circle.
They knew him well—from his daily habits to his personality.
Her impression of him was exceptionally good.
Especially that time when he drove a Wuling Hongguang to help her move—
at a time when she had been feeling down.
The warmth he brought her still lingered in her memory.
In her eyes, a guy like Tang Song—
if you missed out, you’d regret it for a lifetime.
Compared to Xiao Mingxuan, a rich second-generation heir,
Tang Song was a much better fit for Lingling.
That was why she had always pushed her best friend to make a move.
Yao Lingling bit her lower lip and gently placed the silk gift bag onto the empty space on the table.
Immediately—
All eyes locked onto it.
Slowly, she peeled away the luxurious silk packaging—
Revealing a platinum-toned Qixi Festival gift box with an elegant, high-end finish.
The edges were expertly polished, smooth and seamless, with flawless precision.
The frosted metallic texture subtly glowed, reflecting the ever-shifting KTV lights,
occasionally catching flecks of starlike radiance, shimmering in the dim lighting.
Delicate Qixi Festival motifs—a Magpie Bridge, scented sachets, handwoven charms, and traditional pastries—
flowed effortlessly across the surface, like ripples on water.
It was dreamlike, exuding a unique, captivating allure.
Yao Lingling’s eyes widened.
She was completely dazzled.
"Wait… doesn’t this look just like the gift box Su Yu posted online?!"
"Ah! It really does!"
"Just smaller… and in a different color!"
"Yeah! It’s practically identical!"
From the corner of the room, a familiar voice rang out.
Tang Song’s eyebrows lifted slightly as he turned toward the source—
And then—
A stunning, curvy figure stepped into view.
Their eyes met.
Cheng Qiuqiu quickly stood up from the sofa, her expression slightly tense.
Her hands hung stiffly at her sides—unsure of what to do.
She just stared at him, wide-eyed and speechless.
"Lingling! Open it up! Let’s see what’s inside!"
Chen Wan’s excitement bubbled over.
"I saw people online going crazy over Su Yu’s gift box. This one really looks similar!"
"Yeah, yeah! Hurry, open it!"
Yao Lingling took a deep breath and gently twisted the intricate golden lock.
"Click—"
The gift box unfolded seamlessly—
Like an ancient, masterfully crafted jewelry box, exquisite beyond words.
The lavish interior, the perfectly fitted compartments, the blinging luxury items—
Everything was laid out before them in perfect harmony.
Yao Lingling froze, utterly stunned.
The entire room was silent, except for the sound of people gulping and sucking in sharp breaths.
"Wait, is that… a Hermès Cape Cod watch?!"
"Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet!"
"Oh my god—those earrings! I saw them at Cartier! C de Cartier, 18K rose gold, costs over 20,000 yuan!"
"Swish—swish—"
Every gaze slowly shifted toward Tang Song.
Yao Lingling’s friends and classmates were utterly shocked.
This was a full set of seven luxury items—each one insanely expensive.
Adding everything up… this was at least 120,000 yuan worth of gifts.
Sure, Lingling was popular, with tons of friends.
But a male god of this caliber,
deliberately sending such an exorbitantly expensive gift?
It felt almost unreal.
Li Shumin and Zhang Jiahong’s expressions were especially exaggerated.
Since they knew a bit about Tang Song’s background,
they were even more dumbfounded.
Cheng Qiuqiu’s gaze shifted between Tang Song and Yao Lingling,
then landed on the "Su Yu-inspired gift box" in Lingling’s hands.
A flicker of intense admiration crossed her eyes—
Followed by a barely perceptible trace of disappointment.