novelraw Chapter 420: Hot Pot, Beer, Guitar, Early Autumn
Chapter 420: Hot Pot, Beer, Guitar, Early Autumn
Yuhua Business Tower, Fanfu Suzi Media.
Xu Qing almost kneeled in shock, her big eyes widening. "What... You're cosplaying with me? Are you serious?"
"Heh, of course, I'm serious. Even though your figure isn’t as good as mine, I can barely squeeze into your outfits." Shen Yuyan teased, "We can do pair cosplays, like Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, Ashley and Tifa, Raiden Shogun and Kujou Sara..."
Listening to her best friend, Xu Qing's dark eyes sparkled slightly with excitement.
She had known Shen Yuyan for years, and the only time she ever saw her cosplay was back in middle school. After that, every time she asked, Shen Yuyan would brush it off as childish and boring.
If Yanyan was really going to cosplay with her and take photos, it would definitely be a blast—they'd make a perfect duo.
Come to think of it, they had never taken a best-friend boudoir photoshoot together before.
And this was cosplay, her absolute favorite! The pictures would turn out amazing...
But not this time.
The only reason she had been so proactive about this was to find an excuse to talk to Tang Song about her mom's mess.She might even have to dress up as a maid and beg Tang Song to help her.
How could she let Yanyan see her, Miss Xu Qing, in such a pathetic state?!
Thinking of this, Xu Qing mumbled, "Not this time, maybe next time. I already made plans with Tang Song, and adding someone last-minute wouldn’t be appropriate."
"Oh? How about I ask Tang Song myself? A trio sounds fun too."
"Ah! What nonsense are you talking about?!" Xu Qing’s face turned bright red. "This is just a professional shoot between a cosplayer and a photographer! Haven't I had Qianqian take tons of photos for me before?"
From the other end of the line came Shen Yuyan’s cheerful laughter.
"Qingqing, you’re grown up now. Honestly, booking a hotel room with a guy isn’t a big deal. Tang Song is an exceptional guy—you might never find another like him in this lifetime. Treasure him while you can."
"I’m not! I didn't! Stop making things up!" Xu Qing denied in rapid succession.
"Alright, chatting with you cheered me up." Shen Yuyan’s voice softened. "Don't worry too much about my issues—I’ll handle them myself. Just focus on your photoshoot, and don’t make Tang Song feel like you're using your relationship as leverage."
With that, Shen Yuyan hung up.
Xu Qing put down her phone and touched her burning cheeks.
Before she realized it, her smile faded, her lips pouted slightly.
That scumbag Little Songzi... He already had Little Jing and Wen Ruan as girlfriends, and he still dared to mess with her?!
(">血<)
"Damn it! Damn it!" "You scumbag!"
After venting for a while, Xu Qing gradually calmed down.
She lay on her desk in a daze for a bit, then opened WeChat and entered the cosplay group chat.
She typed: "Anyone free to go shopping for outfits tomorrow? Pure Dimension Culture Hall."
For special cosplay costumes, she usually rented them. She only bought a few classic ones offline if they were absolutely necessary.
After all, high-quality, highly accurate costumes were expensive. Buying them required proper storage space and organization.
So far, she only had six or seven sets at home.
Originally, she had planned to rent a few from a cosplay experience shop, but since Tang Song had just sent her 50,000 yuan, she couldn't just be sloppy—she had to get some premium outfits.
Chomp—
【Xiaomei: "Pure Dimension’s clothes are so expensive, I can't afford them. Super jealous of Qingqing, her crush spoils her with luxury gifts, and even her cosplay outfits are high-end brands."】
【Shen Shen: "I’d love to go, but I’m busy tomorrow."】
【Luo Luo: "@Qingqing, I’ll go with you! I was just thinking of buying a new set."】
With a shopping buddy secured, Xu Qing propped her chin on her hands, but her mind kept drifting back to Tang Song.
She was playful, but she wasn’t dumb.
If she didn’t actually have feelings for someone, she wouldn’t let them kiss her face, touch her legs, or grab her butt—let alone agree to a boudoir photoshoot with them.
Thinking of this, Xu Qing suddenly felt a bit itchy all over.
Last time in the car, he had already dared to grab her butt. If they ended up in a hotel room together, what then?!
And Lanfeng International Hotel was his turf!
What if Little Songzi lost control and just did her?!
On the bed, on the floor, on the balcony, in the bathroom...
"Ah!" Xu Qing yelped, rubbing her legs together, her face growing hotter and hotter.
After a long while, she sneaked open a document and started typing out an R-rated fic.
Now that she thought about it, she still owed "April" two explicit fics. She needed to finish them in the next few days!
Outside the frosted glass wall, coworkers occasionally walked by.
Sitting in her little office, Xu Qing's inspiration was flowing, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
For some reason, typing in an office setting like this felt especially thrilling.
......
Chengjing Business Tower, Linggan Brand Design Co., Ltd.
Vice General Manager’s Office.
"Why are you suddenly resigning?" Li Jingzhong looked at the resignation form in his hands, his expression stern. "Qiuqiu, Linggan Design is one of the top branding firms in Yan City. Our designer recruitment process is extremely selective.
Do you know why I gave you this opportunity back when we recruited on campus? Because I saw potential in you. But you’re still too inexperienced—you need guidance."
Hearing his words, Cheng Qiuqiu clenched her hands slightly, her voice laced with guilt. "Thank you and the company for all the support and training, but I truly don’t think this position suits me."
Li Jingzhong was the VP in charge of design—always polished and refined, with a great public image.
Back at Yan City University, he was the one who had interviewed her.
As he said, he had indeed given her a rare opportunity. After she graduated, he arranged her transition to full-time right away.
Aside from his excessive personal interest in her, she was actually quite grateful to him.
Li Jingzhong stood up, his gaze softening as he looked at the cool, alluring young woman before him.
"As far as I know, you don’t get along too closely with your colleagues. They might think you’re too reserved or distant, but I actually think you’re great. A designer should have some individuality—that’s how you create inspired work."
Cheng Qiuqiu pursed her lips, unsure how to respond.
Li Jingzhong coaxed her, "I’ve noticed you always keep to yourself, without many friends. Honestly, I worry about your mental well-being. Stay and focus on your work—don’t let me down. I’ll make sure you get more opportunities, and I’ll also talk to your department to change how they treat you."
"Vice President Li... I..."
"Don't rush to reject me." Li Jingzhong smiled. "Go back and think about it. Give me your final answer next week. If you're absolutely set on leaving, I’ll process your termination under the layoff category.
You're a fresh grad with barely any savings—at least with severance pay, you’ll have some financial security."
At the end, he even switched to some Sichuan dialect, trying to ease the atmosphere.
Seeing Director Li’s warm and friendly demeanor, Cheng Qiuqiu found herself unable to voice a direct rejection.
She bit her lip, bowed slightly, and said, “Thank you, Director Li. I’ll think about it a bit more.”
"Alright then, get back to work. It’s Friday—finish up what you have on hand and enjoy your weekend."
Cheng Qiuqiu took a deep breath, turned around, and walked out.
Watching her graceful, curvy figure as she left, Li Jingzhong narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
He was an extremely shrewd man. From the start, he had noticed Cheng Qiuqiu’s personality flaws. That was precisely why he had chosen her for the company.
In fact, her colleagues’ exclusion and rejection of her weren’t entirely coincidental—he had played a role in it.
By fast-tracking her from graduation to full-time employment, assigning her prime projects, and praising her in meetings, he had deliberately fostered her sense of isolation.
Then, as her superior, he provided warmth and support.
For someone like Cheng Qiuqiu, this method was highly effective.
If played right, she would make the perfect little lover.
Back at her desk, Cheng Qiuqiu looked at the design drafts on her screen and let out a sigh.
She was never good with words, and when faced with leadership’s persuasion, she didn’t know how to refuse outright.
After a moment of contemplation, she opened Lingling’s chat window and placed her hands on the keyboard.
Hesitating for a while, she finally typed: "Lingling, are you free tonight? My treat for dinner."
Among her friends, Lingling was the most outgoing and straightforward. Maybe she could ask her for advice on how to handle this.
After sending the message, Cheng Qiuqiu just sat there in front of her computer, staring at the screen, waiting anxiously for a reply.
This was the first time she had ever actively invited Lingling out.
"Bzz bzz bzz—" Her phone vibrated.
Cheng Qiuqiu quickly clicked to check.
【Lingling: "Sorry, Qiuqiu, I already have plans with someone."】
A flicker of disappointment crossed Qiuqiu’s eyes. She was just about to reply when—
"Chomp chomp—"
【Lingling: "(··'）But... you can come join us! Let’s all hang out together."】
Cheng Qiuqiu quickly typed back: "No need, Lingling. It’s nothing important, I won’t bother you."
【Lingling: "Hehe, it’s fine! Actually, the person I made plans with is someone you know—Tang Song. We’re having hot pot at my place tonight. Wanna come?"】
At the sight of “Tang Song”, Cheng Qiuqiu’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
She didn’t have many friends—Lingling and Tang Song were two of the few.
Eating hot pot and chatting with them would surely be fun, right?
Clutching her phone slightly tighter, Cheng Qiuqiu hesitated for a moment before replying: "Thanks, Lingling. I’ll come over later then."
【Lingling: "Yay! No rush, see you tonight, Qiuqiu baby! ❤️"】
Seeing Lingling’s reply, a warmth spread through Cheng Qiuqiu’s heart.
She glanced at the time—it was almost 4 PM.
Focusing back on her screen, her fingers quickly moved across the touchpad, zooming in and adjusting her design.
By the time it neared 6 PM, she had finalized the draft, saved it, and sent it to the client’s email.
After tidying up her desk, she slung on her backpack, grabbed her helmet, and headed out.
Since she was going to Lingling’s place for dinner, she should bring something along. It wouldn’t be right to show up empty-handed.
Taking the elevator straight to the ground floor, she walked briskly to the parking lot’s corner.
Stopping beside her beloved Suzuki GSX250, Cheng Qiuqiu instinctively glanced at herself in the rearview mirror.
With so much on her mind lately, she was completely bare-faced today, and her outfit was casual, giving her a slightly disheveled look.
For some reason, Tang Song’s face flashed through her mind.
Pressing her lips together, she swiftly swung her leg over the bike, strapped on her helmet, and rode out of the parking lot.
Evening rush hour meant the roads were packed, and there was no way to pick up speed.
Underneath her helmet, Cheng Qiuqiu’s face showed traces of impatience.
Nearly twenty minutes later, she finally arrived at Zhuxi Residential Complex.
She jogged up the stairs, unlocked the door, and set her helmet and bag down.
As she walked toward the bathroom, she peeled off her shoes, jacket, and pants.
"Shhh—" The silver showerhead released a fine, warm spray.
The hot water cascaded over her body, soaking her completely.
She took a quick shower, blow-dried her hair, then wrapped herself in a towel and slipped into her bedroom.
After rummaging through her wardrobe for a while, she finally settled on an outfit she was satisfied with.
Sitting at her desk, she applied light makeup and tidied her hair.
Looking at her refreshed reflection in the mirror, Cheng Qiuqiu finally let out a relieved breath.
Throwing her backpack on again, grabbing her helmet, she quickly headed downstairs. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novelFɪre.net
Above her, the ink-black sky rippled like water, gradually devouring the remnants of light.
"Bzz bzz bzz—"
The white Suzuki sportbike lit up, slicing through the night as it weaved through the bustling streets.
Star Blossom Garden Complex.
"Jiahong, did you put the lamb rolls in the freezer?" Yao Lingling asked while slicing potatoes, not even looking up.
"Yeah, they’re in. Oh, by the way, can Tang Song eat cilantro?"
"Not sure, but we should prep some just in case he likes it."
The center of the living room had been cleared out to make space for a dining table.
A yin-yang hot pot sat in the middle.
One by one, fresh ingredients were arranged around it—potato slices, enoki mushrooms, tofu skin, fish balls, beef tripe, watercress…
"Done!" Yao Lingling arranged the beef slices decoratively with a few lettuce leaves, beaming with satisfaction.
Zhang Jiahong nudged her. "Still missing one last thing."
Yao Lingling blinked. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Li Shumin patted her back, laughing. "Didn’t Tang Song say? He doesn’t care about fancy food as long as there’s a big-hipped Lingling in gym leggings sitting beside him!"
"Ahhh! You’re the big-hipped one!" Yao Lingling pounced on her and started tickling her mercilessly.
"Ring ring—"
Her phone rang.
【Tang Song】
Yao Lingling immediately let go of Li Shumin and answered. "Hello? Senior, where are you?"
"Oh, oh, okay! Got it, bye-bye!"
Hanging up, she tossed out a quick, "I’m changing clothes!" before darting into her room.
Zhang Jiahong and Li Shumin exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
A few minutes later.
Yao Lingling emerged wearing a T-shirt and gym leggings, looking fierce. "What are you laughing at?! My butt’s big, and there’s nothing you can do about it! Hmph!"
Just as she finished speaking—
Knock knock knock.
A rhythmic knock sounded at the door.
Then, from outside, came Tang Song’s deep, magnetic voice—
"Junior, open the door."
"Coming! Coming!" Yao Lingling shouted in excitement, dashing to the entrance.
The door slowly swung open.
A familiar figure stood right before her.
Seeing that strikingly handsome face, and recalling the “nude photo” Tang Song had sent that morning, Yao Lingling’s legs nearly gave out.
In a soft voice, she murmured, “Senior.”
“Hello, Lingling.” Tang Song lifted a hand in greeting, his gaze subtly sweeping downward.
Gotta admit—while this little junior might not have much going on in the front, her back was seriously something else!
With those tight leggings on, her charisma level skyrocketed.
Noticing Tang Song’s gaze, Yao Lingling’s cheeks instantly flushed red. She awkwardly clasped her hands in front of her. “Please come in, Senior.”
Tang Song chuckled, nodding as he stepped into the living room.
“Good evening, Jiahong, Minmin.”
Li Shumin’s eyes sparkled. “Senior, you look so handsome today!”
“Good evening, Senior.” Zhang Jiahong took a deep breath, then bowed deeply at a perfect 90-degree angle. “Thank you so much for referring me to Huashang Fushi! I only found out this morning—I’m really, really grateful!”
“No need to be so formal. You calling me ‘Senior’ isn’t for nothing.” Tang Song patted her shoulder. “Keep working hard—aim to become an outstanding fashion designer, just like Lingling.”
Hearing this, Yao Lingling immediately raised her hand in agreement, grinning. “Senior is absolutely right!”
“Senior, sit here! Qiuqiu will take a while to get here, so we’ll wait for her before we start eating. What do you want to drink? Coke? Beer? Juice?”
“Didn’t drive today—beer.”
“Nice! Let’s drink together then!”
“Tonight, our goal is to get Senior completely wasted so we can do whatever we want!”
“Guess I better pretend to pass out then!”
The living room instantly erupted into laughter.
Yao Lingling grabbed a pack of Budweiser from the fridge, tore it open, and handed everyone a can. “Alright, ladies! A toast to our great Senior Tang Song, for helping Jiahong land her job!”
"Crack—" "Crack—"
The beer tabs popped open, and thick foam instantly bubbled up.
“Cheers!” “Cheers! To our amazing Senior!”
As their cans clinked together, the cold, slightly bitter beer slid down their throats, filling the air with warmth and camaraderie.
The four of them chatted away, sipping their drinks, sitting comfortably in the brightly lit living room.
Three girls, one drama. Three lively young women in their early twenties? Absolute chaos.
Tang Song just listened to their cheerful banter, a wave of nostalgia hitting him—it almost felt like being back in school again.
Before he knew it, he was already halfway through his second beer.
Still no sign of Qiuqiu.
With a playful grin, Yao Lingling grabbed a guitar from the living room shelf.
“We live in a subway-free zone, and it’s Friday night—Qiuqiu’s definitely stuck in traffic. Jiahong, give us some entertainment!”
Without hesitation, she tossed the guitar over to Zhang Jiahong.
Zhang Jiahong caught it smoothly and started strumming right away.
She played as she walked around, her voice playfully weaving through the rhythm.
The "ding ding dong dong" of the guitar, combined with her lively singing, made the atmosphere in the room even more joyful.
Leaning back in his chair, Tang Song’s face lit up with a bright, carefree smile, clapping along to the beat.
Humans are social creatures.
After a long day, chilling with these lively, energetic juniors—**drinking, chatting, and singing—**was undeniably fun and relaxing.
Seeing the smile on Tang Song’s face and the way his gaze lingered, Yao Lingling suddenly felt a rush of adrenaline.
She grabbed the guitar from Zhang Jiahong and pulled her chair right next to Tang Song.
Grinning, she said, “I’ll sing one for you too, Senior!”
A sweet, faint scent of shampoo mixed with the warmth of her youthful fragrance drifted into Tang Song’s nose.
Intrigued, he smirked. “Alright, let’s hear it.”
Yao Lingling hugged the guitar tightly, fingers plucking at the strings, slowly playing a few chords.
But her movements were a bit rusty, her rhythm choppy and uneven.
"Uh..." Her face turned bright red as she scratched her head awkwardly. “I totally underestimated this, hahaha. Haven’t played in two or three years. But I’m really good at piano! I’ll play for you next time, Senior.”
She had just had a bit too much to drink, saw the way Tang Song had been admiring Jiahong’s performance, and suddenly wanted to show off in front of him.
Completely forgot that her guitar skills were... kinda trash.
Watching her flustered reaction, Tang Song couldn’t hold back a laugh.
"Pfft—"
Immediately, Zhang Jiahong and Li Shumin burst out laughing too.
“Hey—! Stop laughing at me!” Yao Lingling felt her face burn with embarrassment. In front of Tang Song, no less! She wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out.
Still grinning, Tang Song smoothly took the guitar from her hands.
Meeting her eyes, he said confidently and effortlessly, “What song do you want to hear? I’ll play.”
“Huh...?” Yao Lingling’s eyes sparkled with excitement, full of surprise. “Senior, you can play the guitar?!”
She knew Tang Song had an amazing voice and was great at sketching, but she had never heard him mention playing an instrument before.
“Of course. Want to hear something?” Tang Song raised an eyebrow.
“Yes! Yes!!” Yao Lingling excitedly grabbed his arm, shaking it. “Play what I just tried—I’m Doing Just Fine. I love that song!”
Tang Song flashed an OK sign, his smile warm and effortlessly charming.
Leaning back into his chair, he cradled the guitar lazily in his arms.
A faint hint of alcohol lingered in the air.
The cool breeze of early autumn brushed against his skin.
With his long, slender fingers, he gently strummed the strings.
The crisp, melodious notes danced into the room like tiny spirits, instantly filling the space with their lively presence.
Tang Song lowered his head slightly, the light accentuating his sharp nose, well-defined features, and smooth lips—
Under the soft glow, he looked absolutely mesmerizing.
The three girls froze.
Their eyes widened.
Their mouths slightly parted in awe.
As art students, they had dabbled in music alongside their studies.
They also knew several people in the music industry.
So it took them only seconds to realize—
Tang Song’s guitar skills weren’t just good.
They were professional.
Better than their university’s own instructors.
Just then—
"Knock, knock, knock."
A knock on the door snapped Yao Lingling out of her trance.
She whispered excitedly, “It’s Qiuqiu.”
“I’ll get it!” Zhang Jiahong quickly stood up and ran to the door.
A moment later, the door swung open.
Cheng Qiuqiu stepped in, dressed in a black cropped top and tight denim jeans.
She carried a bag of fruit in one hand and a helmet in the other.
She had clearly rushed over—her hair was slightly messy, and a faint sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead.
Their eyes met, and Tang Song nodded at her.
His deep, velvety voice rang through the air.
【BGM: Do You Still Remember Those Habits of Yours?】
Outside, the autumn night breeze slipped through the open windows, brushing softly against their skin.
The warm, cozy atmosphere of friends gathered together, combined with the quiet strumming of the guitar, created a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Cheng Qiuqiu stared at the moment unfolding before her, her eyes growing unfocused, her heartbeat suddenly skipping a single beat.