novelraw Chapter 421: So Annoying, Another Late Night at Work
Chapter 421: So Annoying, Another Late Night at Work
「BGM: I’m fine, it’s just that sometimes regret slips from my eyes. I’m fine, but no matter how hard I try to forget, I just can’t...」
Slender fingers gently strummed the guitar strings, the melody flowing like a quiet stream.
The melancholic yet tender emotions resonated through his voice, vibrating with each pluck of the strings, pulling at heartstrings.
Under the soft glow of the lights, his profile appeared strikingly three-dimensional. His brows were slightly lowered, his expression focused, as if the entire world had faded away, leaving only his music.
Sitting beside Tang Song, Yao Lingling found herself gradually entranced.
Her feelings for Tang Song hadn’t developed overnight.
At first, she had stumbled upon a Little Red Book post about him and followed him out of curiosity, treating it like raising a digital pet.
Then came the infamous "bowl cut" incident, which truly brought them together.
Out of guilt and intrigue, she had roped Zhang Jiahong and Li Shumin into this grand Heartthrob Simulator, watching firsthand as he transformed from a chubby homebody into a strikingly refined young man.
His unwavering discipline and perseverance had left a profound impression on her.Then came their in-person meeting at the beef noodle shop.
But the moment she truly felt her heart race was when she saw his exquisite sketchwork, his genius-level fashion designs, and that cherished OPPO Find X6 Pro he had given her.
Yao Lingling took a deep breath, her gaze lingering on him, her cheeks burning.
The evening breeze ruffled his casual shirt and tousled black hair, his whole presence exuding a deep artistic charm.
This gentle yet passionate young man, brimming with talent, humility, and quiet charisma—how could she not fall for him?
The guitar notes gradually faded.
For a moment, the living room was silent. Then—
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Zhang Jiahong and Li Shumin, their faces flushed with excitement, erupted into cheers.
Cheng Qiuqiu, feeling a little awkward, quickly placed down her things and joined in, clapping her hands.
"Senior, that was amazing!"
Yao Lingling’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “The guitar was incredible, the singing was incredible, and—most importantly—you’re incredibly handsome!”
"Senior, I swear you could debut as an idol right now!"
"Unstoppable! That was a double kill—looks and talent combined!"
Tang Song set the guitar aside and waved a hand. "Keep it low-key, keep it low-key."
Yao Lingling hopped up and dashed over to Cheng Qiuqiu, giving her a warm hug.
"Welcome, Qiuqiu! You’re our guest tonight, so no need to be so formal. Why’d you bring gifts? You’re too polite!"
"I just thought…" Cheng Qiuqiu started to explain.
But before she could finish, Yao Lingling picked up the bag of fruits and grinned.
"Wow! Mangosteens, Autumn Moon pears, golden kiwis—all our favorites! We didn’t even prepare a fruit platter yet, perfect timing. Minmin, go cut them up!"
"On it!" Li Shumin grabbed the bag and scurried off to the kitchen. "Thanks, Qiuqiu! Hehe."
With all the lively banter, Cheng Qiuqiu quickly relaxed, her initial tension melting away.
"No worries, it’s just a little something."
"Good evening, Qiuqiu."
Tang Song stood up and greeted her with a warm smile.
As their eyes met, Cheng Qiuqiu instinctively looked away.
"Good evening, Tang Song. Sorry I’m late—traffic was awful."
She had actually arrived at Star Blossom Garden ten minutes earlier but had realized she forgot to buy fruit. Rushing to the nearby fruit store and back had caused the delay.
"No worries, come sit!"
Yao Lingling pulled Cheng Qiuqiu toward the dining table, brimming with excitement.
"Now that everyone’s here—let’s eat!"
With that, she signaled for everyone to take their seats.
Soon, Li Shumin returned with a neatly arranged fruit platter.
The induction cooker was turned on, the hot pot bubbling with fragrant red broth.
Crisp vegetables, tender slices of meat, plump shrimp paste—one by one, they were tossed into the steaming pot.
"Cheers!"
"Qiuqiu, you rode here, right? Better stick to soft drinks—what would you like?"
"I’m fine with anything."
"Let’s go with pineapple beer then—it pairs well with ours!"
"Okay, thanks."
"Pop—"
Yao Lingling cracked open the can and handed it to Cheng Qiuqiu.
"Eat lots! There’s plenty more in the fridge!"
The freshly taken aluminum can quickly became coated in fine condensation from the steaming hot pot, the contrast between the icy beverage and the heat of the broth stark and exhilarating.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Holding her pineapple beer, Cheng Qiuqiu took in the lively atmosphere, glancing at Yao Lingling and Tang Song beside her.
She softly murmured, "Cheers."
For a brief moment, an unexplainable sense of peace and contentment washed over her, dissolving all the worries and shadows lingering in her mind.
The spicy, numbing sesame sauce wrapped around the freshly cooked food, exploding with flavor in her mouth.
The heat of the hot pot left everyone’s cheeks tinged pink, and laughter and conversation flowed freely.
They chatted about music, design, fashion, and the latest gossip.
At some point, the guitar notes floated through the air again, blending with Cheng Qiuqiu’s soft, cool-toned voice.
Outside, the night deepened, but inside, the warmth and joy lingered.
After dinner.
Zhang Jiahong nudged Yao Lingling, subtly gesturing toward the bedroom.
Having downed quite a bit of beer, Yao Lingling’s courage was noticeably higher. She boldly patted Tang Song’s shoulder and grinned.
"Senior, come with me—I have a little gift for you."
"Hmm?"
Tang Song raised an eyebrow in curiosity and stood up.
"What is it?"
"Hehe, you’ll see in a sec!"
Grabbing his arm, Yao Lingling led him toward her bedroom.
Watching them disappear into the room, Cheng Qiuqiu couldn’t help but feel a little curious but said nothing, simply sipping her pineapple beer in silence.
Pushing open the bedroom door, warm, soft lighting spilled into the room.
It was clear Yao Lingling had tidied up thoroughly—everything was neat and inviting.
"Wait here for a sec!"
She quickly walked to the wardrobe and pulled out a high-end, dark gray garment bag.
The leather handle matched the bag’s color—soft yet sturdy.
A deep blue silk ribbon was tied at the top, embroidered with Tang Song’s name.
Beaming, she placed it onto the bed.
"Ta-da! Here it is!"
"Is this... a suit?"
From the details, Tang Song quickly pieced it together.
"Yup!"
Yao Lingling bit her lip slightly before speaking earnestly.
"Senior, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Because of your design drafts, I’ve made a lot of money. I’ve always wanted to give you a gift.
This suit—I designed and tailored it myself based on the latest body measurements you gave me. I hope you like it."
Unzipping the garment bag, the suit was fully revealed.
Deep navy blue.
Pure worsted wool fabric.
Fine-textured with just the right amount of elasticity, its surface gleamed with a subtle luster.
As someone who owned multiple custom-tailored suits, Tang Song could immediately tell the fabric’s premium quality.
Glancing at the girl beside him, Tang Song’s voice softened slightly.
"Thank you, Lingling."
Tailoring a suit by hand wasn’t an easy task—Yao Lingling must have spent a long time preparing this. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel✦fire.net
"Don’t say that—it’s me who should be thanking you." Yao Lingling clasped her hands in front of her, eyes full of anticipation. "Senior, try it on! If anything feels off, I can adjust it."
"Alright." Tang Song nodded and casually began unfastening his belt.
"Ah—" Yao Lingling let out a small yelp, her face instantly flushing red. "Uh… do you want me to step outside?"
"Up to you. You can stay and help me put it on if you’d like." Tang Song shot her a playful wink.
"T-This…"
How was she supposed to resist such temptation?
"Ahem." Yao Lingling cleared her throat, trying to maintain composure. "As a professional fashion designer, this is nothing. I’ve worked with plenty of models before. This is a great chance to double-check your measurements."
Tang Song chuckled, then swiftly pulled off his casual pants.
Yao Lingling swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on his bare legs.
His thigh muscles were defined, completely devoid of any excess fat.
His calves had a smooth and proportionate muscle line, extending seamlessly from the lower leg to the Achilles tendon.
Honestly, this was the kind of leg that would make any woman drool.
The proportions, the sculpted shape—even the male models she had seen couldn’t compare.
Then, before she could stop herself, her gaze drifted upward.
Landing on his underwear.
Instantly, her face felt like it was on fire.
Once the suit was on, Tang Song moved around to test the fit.
The fabric was soft and smooth yet structured, giving him a refined look.
The tailoring was impeccable—the shoulder seams lay naturally, the waistline subtly tapered to highlight his frame.
It was formal enough for business settings but didn’t feel rigid or restrictive.
The breathability was excellent, and the detailing showed immense thoughtfulness.
"How is it?" Tang Song stood elegantly before her, shifting slightly from side to side.
Yao Lingling stepped forward, fingering the fabric carefully, her eyes sparkling.
"The shoulders seem a little tight—it must be because you’ve been working out more recently. I’ll adjust them over the weekend."
"The pant length, I intentionally left a bit extra, but seeing it now, it actually fits just right."
"Mm, thanks for your hard work." Tang Song nodded.
Since his body proportions had changed slightly due to his training and system perks, it made sense that the custom measurements needed minor tweaks—mostly around his shoulders and legs.
Yao Lingling pinched the sleeve fabric lightly, then looked up at him, her voice filled with admiration.
"Senior, you look ridiculously handsome in a suit!"
After all, this was something she had crafted with her own hands.
Pairing it with Tang Song’s sharp features and sculpted physique—it was hitting every single one of her aesthetic preferences.
She couldn’t stop staring.
"It’s getting colder these days—I’ll be wearing this often."
"As long as you like it, that’s all that matters."
Tang Song’s gaze lingered briefly on her form—specifically on the way her gym leggings accentuated her curves.
His heart skipped a beat.
Taking a step closer, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a light hug.
Feeling Tang Song’s warmth and the faint scent of hot pot broth on his clothes, Yao Lingling’s heart instantly leaped to 160 BPM.
The atmosphere between them shifted, something subtle but undeniable.
Having had a bit to drink, Yao Lingling found herself growing bold.
She even dared to rest her hands on his torso, secretly feeling the firm lines of his muscles.
They stood like that for a moment, the room silent.
Then—Tang Song’s hand slid lower.
His palm landed at her waist and hips.
The softness was impossible to ignore—it was like pressing into a perfectly springy memory foam cushion.
There was just the right amount of firmness underneath the plush surface.
The feeling was so good that Tang Song instinctively pressed a little harder.
"Ah!"
Yao Lingling let out a tiny gasp, her whole body shuddering.
Her eyes widened.
"S-Senior…!"
"Ah—your leggings are really slippery. My bad."
Tang Song laughed lightly.
"Uh… Actually… That’s not what I meant…"
Yao Lingling stammered, completely flustered.
Seeing how nervous she looked, Tang Song chuckled softly, then leaned down and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"Regardless, thank you for the gift, Lingling. It means a lot."
Yao Lingling touched her cheek, feeling utterly lightheaded, as if she had truly gotten drunk.
"N-No problem…"
Tang Song released her, then began changing back into his casual clothes.
"Senior, don’t worry about it—I’ll take care of storing the suit properly."
Yao Lingling hurriedly stepped forward, carefully folding the custom-made outfit and placing it back into its protective garment bag.
Still blushing, she hesitated for a moment before asking, "If you’re not in a rush to head home tonight, do you wanna stay and play some games with us?"
"Sure, I haven’t played in ages. Let’s go for a five-man ranked match!"
Back in the living room, Tang Song immediately felt three pairs of eyes locked onto him.
Before anyone could say anything, Yao Lingling shot them a fierce glare.
The next second—
The five of them gathered together, launching a game session.
The room quickly filled with excited shouts and chaotic banter.
"Hurry, hurry! Top lane needs backup! Zilong, get over here!"
"Minmin! Were you planning to save that healing spell for childbirth?! Press the damn button!"
"I panicked! Arthur and Dian Wei jumped me out of nowhere! Qiuqiu, go! Kill them!"
"I… I don’t have my ultimate yet."
Meanwhile, at Beicheng Garden Complex.
"Click—"
The front door creaked open.
Dragging her exhausted body inside, Shen Yuyan kicked off her heels and lazily called out toward the bedroom.
"Qingqing?"
No response.
She made her way to the fridge, pulled out a bottle of juice, and took a few deep gulps before exhaling deeply.
Tonight, she had been out with the company’s management team, discussing Hou Shaoyuan’s stock sale.
Since she had been one of the earliest investors, his departure was a major hit to morale.
For the sake of stability, she had no choice but to give an impromptu motivational speech to rally the team.
Approaching the guest bedroom, Shen Yuyan could hear energetic background music playing inside.
She smirked, shook her head, then pushed the door open.
And froze.
Inside, wearing an Asuka cosplay wig, Xu Qing was striking dramatic poses in front of her vanity mirror.
Clearly, she was nervous about tomorrow’s photoshoot and was practicing in advance.
This was a rare sight.
Upon noticing her best friend walk in, Xu Qing dramatically declared,
"Don’t pity me! Don’t you dare compare me to yourself!"
"Quit fooling around, I’m too tired for your antics."
Without hesitation, Shen Yuyan strode forward, yanked off the wig, and pinched Xu Qing’s cheeks.
"Qingqing, you better work hard. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll have to rely on you to support me."
Then, without another word, she flopped onto the bed, pulling Xu Qing into a hug.
Shen Yuyan suddenly leaned close to Xu Qing’s ear, whispering, "Qingqing, tomorrow's your first time booking a hotel room with a guy. I’ve got a very important little gift for you—it’ll guarantee a smooth and successful experience. Make sure to keep it safe, okay?"
"What gift? It sounds amazing! Let me see!" Xu Qing's face lit up with excitement.
Shen Yuyan chuckled mischievously, pulled a small rectangular box from her pocket, and placed it in Xu Qing’s hands.
"Make sure you keep it safe."
Xu Qing’s big dark eyes widened in curiosity as she examined the box.
【Durex Bold Love 10-Pack】
Xu Qing: (O_O)!!!
"D-Durex?!"
Shen Yuyan leaned in closer, grinning. "Mhm. Birth control pills aren’t great for your health, you know?"
"AHHH!" Xu Qing shrieked, hurling the box across the room, her face blazing red. "You manipulative little witch! I—I'm not even going to use it! I told you, it’s just a cosplay shoot!"
Shen Yuyan simply smiled knowingly. "I mean, I’ve never actually seen one in person either. Want to open it and check? Might as well learn how to put it on—who knows, Tang Song might ask for your help tomorrow."
"I—I—!"
Xu Qing buried her face into the blankets, her mind spiraling out of control.
Would Tang Song really make her put it on for him?!
With her hands? Or… some other way?
Then pin her down on the bed, rendering her completely helpless under his mercy…
Oh. My. God.
Xu Qing: (○0○)!!!
Star Blossom Garden Complex
"Time flies so fast," Yao Lingling sighed reluctantly. "Be careful on your way home. Let me know when you arrive safely."
"Bye-bye!"
"Bye-bye! Qiuqiu, ride carefully!"
At the entrance, just as Tang Song was about to step out, his gaze paused on a helmet hanging on the rack.
Turning to Cheng Qiuqiu, he casually asked, "We just had hot pot and beer—it’s feeling a little stuffy. Mind giving me a ride for some fresh air?"
It was a cloudy night, the cool weather making it a perfect time for a ride.
At this hour, the roads were nearly empty.
"Uh…"
Cheng Qiuqiu hesitated for a second, her lips parting slightly, her expression slightly stiff.
Then, after a moment, she whispered, "Okay."
"Great."
Tang Song smirked, then turned to Yao Lingling. "Lend me a helmet?"
"Sure thing!"
Yao Lingling quickly handed him a black half-helmet.
"Be careful, both of you! Ride slow! When you guys are free, we should all go for a ride together—I know a stunning route!"
"Sounds good."
Tang Song adjusted the helmet, testing the fit. Since it was a standard half-helmet, it wasn’t too bad.
Cheng Qiuqiu stood there frozen for a moment, a faint pink hue creeping onto her face.
The two made their way downstairs to her Suzuki GSX250R.
Seeing the familiar bike, Tang Song couldn’t help but smile.
"The first time I met you, you were riding this bike," he mused. "I remember thinking you looked amazing—so cool, so fierce."
Cheng Qiuqiu's heart skipped a beat, her face heating up again.
She bit her lip and quickly strapped on her helmet, then swiftly swung a leg over the bike.
Her voice was soft, almost inaudible. "All set. Get on."
"Alright."
Tang Song nodded and took a moment to admire the sight before him.
Dressed in dark skinny jeans, a black top, black helmet, black boots, and a black backpack, her sleek all-black look stood in stark contrast to the icy-white Suzuki.
Under the streetlights, her leaned-forward posture accentuated her perfect waist-to-hip ratio.
Damn.
Riding a bike really suited her.
With one smooth movement, Tang Song swung his leg over the back seat and settled in behind her.
Leaning forward slightly, his arms naturally wrapped around either side of her waist, resting on the fuel tank.
Feeling the warmth of his body suddenly so close, Cheng Qiuqiu flinched slightly, instinctively shifting forward.
"Hold on tight."
The engine roared to life.
The white Suzuki GSX250 smoothly pulled out of Star Blossom Garden.
The night stretched on in silence.
Wind whistled past, and the city lights blurred into streaks of color.
With fewer cars on the road, the only sounds were the deep rumble of the engine and the occasional rustling of leaves.
In this moment, with Tang Song sitting behind her, Cheng Qiuqiu let go of all her worries.
Letting the night breeze wash over her, all her bottled-up emotions seemed to fade away.
Her long hair slipped out from under the helmet, strands floating in the wind, some brushing against Tang Song’s face.
The faint scent of fresh shampoo drifted into his senses.
Tang Song narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze locked onto the girl in front of him.
The crisp autumn air, the cool night breeze, the quiet hum of the city.
It felt refreshing.
They rode like this for a long while, until suddenly—
Cheng Qiuqiu pulled over to the side of the road.
Tang Song tilted his head slightly. "What’s wrong, QQ?"
Cheng Qiuqiu tightened her grip on the handlebars, looking a little embarrassed.
"Um… where do you live again?"
She had been so focused on keeping herself composed that she had unconsciously ridden toward her own home instead.
Tang Song chuckled. "I live in Yanjing Tiancheng, right in the city center. But honestly, this direction wasn’t too far off."
"Oh… that’s good."
Cheng Qiuqiu nodded quickly, restarted the engine, and continued forward.
A few minutes later, the bike came to a stop outside Yanjing Tiancheng's south entrance.
"Bye-bye. Ride safe."
"Bye-bye."
Cheng Qiuqiu gave a small nod, lowering her gaze slightly as she waved.
Just as she was about to leave, she hesitated for a second before adding softly—
"Your guitar playing was really good."
The next moment, the girl in black and her white Suzuki disappeared into the night.
Back at His Apartment
Tang Song leaned lazily on his couch, gazing out at the city skyline.
After a while, he pulled out his phone and checked his unread messages.
【Xu Qing: "Hey, so… I’m going shopping for high-quality cosplay outfits tomorrow. Any recommendations?"】
【Xu Qing: "Also, don’t forget to book the hotel room in advance. It’s the weekend, might get crowded."】
Tang Song raised an eyebrow.
Xu Qing had been oddly proactive these past few days—first inviting him to do a boudoir photoshoot, and now offering to buy cosplay outfits he liked?
She was definitely up to something.
Smirking, he casually sent back a list of characters he liked.
Seeing that she wasn’t replying immediately, a thought crossed his mind.
Right—Xu Qing still owed him several explicit stories.
Had she finished writing them yet?
Maybe he should read them together with her tomorrow.
That would definitely be entertaining.
Tang Song let out a deep laugh.
Switching apps, he logged into his secondary QQ account.
As soon as he was online, a flood of messages appeared.
Among them, one caught his eye.
From Zhang Yan?
He clicked on it.
It was a long message, sent seven days ago.
And just in time—QQ only stored unread messages for about a week.
If he had logged in any later, he wouldn’t have seen it at all.