novelraw Chapter 429: The Canary and Secretary Jin
Chapter 429: The Canary and Secretary Jin
The lively private room was filled with the lingering scent of perfume and the rich aroma of food.
Glasses and plates remained scattered across the table, reflecting the soft glow of the overhead lights.
Zhang Huijuan stood up and said, “It’s getting late, let’s wrap things up here. Yajing and the others just arrived in Yan City today—they should get a good night’s rest.”
“Yes, we should call it a night. Get some good sleep, and tomorrow we can go out together.”
“Tonight’s dinner was amazing. Thank you, Huijuan.”
The group exchanged lighthearted conversation and laughter.
Wu Wenhao stepped over to Tang Song’s side and asked in a low voice, “Mr. Tang, would you like me to arrange a car or a driver for you?”
“No need. Qingqing will drive me home.”
“Alright, then. Have a safe trip.”
As they left the private dining room and reached the elevator lobby, Han Yajing seemed reluctant to part, holding onto Tang Song’s arm as she animatedly recounted stories from Xu Qing’s childhood.Her tales were hilarious—almost like scenes from a Crayon Shin-chan movie.
Tang Song laughed so hard he nearly doubled over.
Beside him, Xu Qing’s face burned bright red as she repeatedly tried to defend herself.
The conversation went on for over ten minutes before Han Yajing finally grinned and said, “Drive safely, and text me when you get home.”
Xu Qing hugged her mother reluctantly. “Mom, you really won’t stay at my place? The apartment Yanyan and I rented is pretty spacious.”
“Not tonight. I haven’t had a proper reunion with my old friends in years—we’re all staying together to catch up and gossip!” Han Yajing’s face was flushed with excitement, clearly in high spirits.
“Alright then, we’re heading out.”
Tang Song smiled. “Goodbye, Auntie.”
Han Yajing acknowledged him and then gave her daughter a little shove.
“Tang Song drank quite a bit tonight—make sure to take care of him. If needed, make him some hangover soup or something.”
“Ugh!” Xu Qing’s ears turned red as she muttered under her breath, “I’m not a babysitter…”
The real issue, of course, was that she couldn’t cook at all!
Forget hangover soup, even making a simple home-cooked dish was a struggle for her.
“You little brat, what kind of talk is that? Taking care of your boyfriend is your duty!” Han Yajing shot her a knowing look.
She had zero intention of letting her daughter mess this up.
A son-in-law this good—if Xu Qing lost him, it would be a lifelong regret!
Her biggest concern right now was that their relationship was still too new—the future was uncertain.
Xu Qing blushed and muttered an “Oh”, not arguing any further.
Even now, she still wasn’t completely used to calling Tang Song her boyfriend—it just felt… weird.
Beneath Yan City’s Night Sky
The white Bentley Continental GT slowly rolled out of the underground parking lot, met by the dazzling lights of Yan City’s vibrant nightlife.
Xu Qing gripped the steering wheel tightly. At a red light, she instinctively glanced at the passenger seat.
The night breeze slipped through the slightly open window, gently ruffling his jet-black hair.
The soft, ambient lighting inside the car cast a warm glow, enveloping his stunning profile in a hazy, dreamlike radiance.
The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing the elegant curve of his collarbone, with faint muscle lines barely visible beneath the fabric.
A casual kind of sexiness, effortlessly enticing.
At that moment, sitting in the driver’s seat of a Bentley, next to the heartthrob himself, Tang Song, Xu Qing felt an overwhelming sense of unreality.
It was as if she had stepped straight into the pages of a novel.
“What’s wrong?” Tang Song turned his head slightly, his voice low and magnetic.
“N-nothing…” Xu Qing’s cheeks flushed as she hurriedly asked, “I’m taking you to Yanjing Tiancheng, right?”
Looking at her charming, flustered face, Tang Song chuckled softly and shook his head.
“No.”
“Then where are you going?”
“Beicheng Garden.”
“What?!” Xu Qing’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Why… why are you going to my place?”
“To sleep with you.”
Tang Song leaned in, his breath tinged with the faint scent of alcohol, the warmth brushing against her cheek.
Xu Qing’s earlobes instantly turned red.
She stammered, “No way… I’m still… sore, and tomorrow I have to go shopping with my mom.”
Tang Song chuckled but didn’t argue.
Instead, he lifted the hem of her skirt and rested his hand on her smooth, bare thigh.
As he gazed out at the blurred lights of the city, he gently closed his eyes, savoring the soft, warm sensation beneath his fingers.
Xu Qing clamped her legs shut and swatted his wandering hand away, pouting as she grumbled.
With a flushed face, she pulled out her phone and quickly sent a WeChat message to her best friend.
Xu Qing: “Yanyan, Tang Song’s staying over at my place tonight.”
Back at the dinner, Shen Yuyan had left early, using “not feeling well” as an excuse.
Even though she and Tang Song had just taken their relationship to the next level, she still wanted to spend more time with him.
“Green light.”
Tang Song gently squeezed her thigh as a reminder.
“Focus on driving.”
“You bastard, stop touching me!” Xu Qing hissed, hurriedly releasing the brakes.
North City Garden - Late Night
The night sky was as dark as ink.
Neon lights reflected off the windshield, like a silent firework display.
Inside the quiet car, the only sounds were Xu Qing’s flustered complaints and Tang Song’s amused teasing.
After twenty minutes, the Bentley Continental GT finally pulled into the Beicheng Garden parking lot.
It was 9 PM—the temperature was perfect, and the breeze was soft and pleasant.
Tang Song took Xu Qing’s hand and strolled around the complex for a couple of laps before heading to the 12th floor.
When she opened the door, Xu Qing called out, “Yanyan, I’m home!”
Her dark eyes twinkled as she suddenly grinned mischievously.
“Oops, no slippers for you here. Want to wear mine?”
She grabbed a pair of pink cartoon slippers from the shoe rack and blinked at Tang Song playfully.
She was dying to see what he’d look like wearing her size-37 slippers.
The thought alone made her burst into giggly laughter.
Tang Song pinched her cheek, exasperated. “Forget it. I’d rather go barefoot.”
“Come on, just try them on! I promise I won’t take a picture!”
As they were bickering, a series of light footsteps approached.
Wearing yoga attire and sporting a messy bun, Shen Yuyan walked over, carrying a plastic bag.
The tight-fitting fabric hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her slim waist and long legs.
With a soft smile, she said, “I just went downstairs to buy slippers and toothbrushes for you guys.”
“Yanyan, you’re the best!” Xu Qing immediately pounced on her, rubbing her face against her best friend’s like an overly excited husky.
Shen Yuyan pushed her away with a look of disdain. “Alright, alright, go freshen up.”
“Give me a kiss first, baby! Mua~”
Watching the two best friends cling to each other, Tang Song felt an inexplicable stir in his chest.
Back in university, Shen Yuyan and Xu Qing had been a symbol of his youth—
And every time he saw them together, certain thoughts would creep into his mind.
After changing into his slippers, he washed up briefly.
For the first time, Tang Song stepped into Xu Qing’s bedroom.
The walls were covered in posters—some anime, some of real-life celebrities like Su Yu.
And among them, there was even a photo of Xu Qing and Shen Yuyan together.
Xu Qing’s bed was covered in plush toys, while her desk, positioned by the window, held a computer, a stack of manga and novels, and various stationery items.
One of the desk drawers was slightly open, revealing an assortment of stickers, journals, and colorful pens.
At first glance, the room looked a little messy—but it had a warm and cozy feel to it.
Tang Song plopped down on the bed, then gestured for Xu Qing to come over.
“Qingqing, come here.”
Xu Qing instinctively stepped back, her gaze avoiding his.
“Why?”
“Hurry up. Be good.” Tang Song’s voice carried a hint of authority.
“Ugh! Why are you being so bossy? Seriously!” Xu Qing stomped her foot, her cheeks flushed, but still obediently walked over.
The moment she got close, Tang Song suddenly pulled her into his arms, causing her to fall onto him.
Tang Song held onto her soft, fragrant body, his hands sliding upward as he teased, “This time it’s even more exaggerated. Using padding to overpower me, huh?”
“Ah! Let me go!” Xu Qing squirmed, embarrassed. “Girls always dress like this—it’s normal styling!”
Tang Song lowered his head slightly and gently kissed her burning-hot earlobe.
Within moments, Xu Qing’s body softened in his embrace.
Tang Song whispered, “Qingqing, do you still have your old school uniforms? Why don’t you change into one? I want to relive the past.”
Xu Qing shivered, stammering, “You… You… Why do you always jump straight into these dirty fantasies? You’re so indecent!”
“Pfft—” Tang Song chuckled. “Fine, let me put it another way.”
Pressing closer, he listened to her heartbeat, gazing into her bright, dark eyes.
“Xu Qing classmate, how about we play roleplay?”
“You perverted jerk!”
The two wrestled playfully on the bed for a while before Xu Qing finally covered her face in embarrassment and whispered, “Get out first. I have too many clothes—I need to find it properly.”
Truthfully, she loved being intimate with Tang Song, and the idea of roleplay made her a little obsessed.
After all, she had written this exact scenario in her novels before.
In her stories, Xu Yanqing and Tang Song were college classmates.
And now, Tang Song’s suggestion had pulled her straight into the fantasy.
Just thinking about it made her excited.
“Hurry up, then.”
Tang Song kissed her on the cheek, got up, and left the bedroom.
Flirtation in the Living Room
As soon as Tang Song stepped into the living room, Shen Yuyan, who had been lounging on the sofa, immediately perked up.
She waved at him with a bright smile.
“Hello~ Why’d you come out so suddenly?”
“Qingqing is changing. She won’t let me watch.”
Tang Song shrugged and casually sat down across from her.
Shen Yuyan’s eyes sparkled, and she laughed softly, setting down a fruit platter in front of him.
Then, she stood up and asked, “Want something to drink? I’ll grab it for you.”
“Ice Coke. Thanks.”
“Coming right up!”
Shen Yuyan snapped her fingers playfully and walked gracefully toward the fridge.
“Red can or blue can?”
“Red.”
Tang Song responded offhandedly, glancing up to admire Shen Yuyan, the former campus beauty.
The soft room lighting blended with the cool blue glow from the fridge, casting perfect highlights on her curvy figure.
Her delicate facial features, rosy skin, and the faint sheen of sweat on her body made her radiate a healthy, seductive charm.
She really lived up to her title as the school belle—her looks and figure were truly top-tier.
With a soft click, the fridge door closed, and Shen Yuyan swayed her slim, sexy waist as she walked toward Tang Song.
With a slight bend at the waist, she elegantly placed the opened can of Coke in front of him.
As her scent drifted toward him and his gaze fell on her deep cleavage, Tang Song’s eyes flickered slightly.
Wearing something like this so late at night, with a light touch of makeup… Shen Yuyan was definitely dressed up intentionally.
“Thanks, Yuyan.”
Tang Song took a sip of the Coke and leaned back on the sofa.
Shen Yuyan sat down right next to him, her hands naturally resting on her lap.
As she turned slightly, her hair lightly brushed against his arm, leaving behind a faint tickling sensation.
“I just found out today,” she said with a smile, “that you invested 116 million yuan in Yannan Film Base. That’s impressive! Honestly, it shocked me—after all, that’s over a hundred million in cash flow.”
She leaned in slightly, her eyes filled with genuine admiration and curiosity.
“Like we discussed before,” Tang Song smiled lightly, “the short drama market is an untapped blue ocean. Investing in a film base is definitely a good move.”
“Mhm, that’s why you have such guts.”
Shen Yuyan tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, looking at him intently.
“But right now, the hottest industry has to be AI. Since you have a background in programming, have you thought about investing in this sector?”
“Of course.”
Tang Song’s lips curled slightly.
“AI is advancing rapidly—it’s already transforming our daily lives. Most investors are focusing on it, myself included.”
In the Growth Plan Task, it had mentioned “startups with unicorn potential”—but finding them wasn’t easy.
However, AI—especially AI startups focused on specific industries—had the highest potential to become unicorns.
He had already begun researching the field extensively and planned to monitor investment opportunities closely.
“Mm! That’s exactly what I thought too.”
Shen Yuyan licked her slightly parted lips and leaned in even closer.
She continued discussing the current state and future prospects of AI, clearly having done her homework.
From existing applications to breakthrough innovations, she spoke knowledgeably and confidently.
At some point, feeling thirsty, she naturally picked up Tang Song’s Coke and took a small sip.
The cool liquid slid down her throat, and she instinctively licked the remaining droplets from her lips.
Then, as if realizing her actions, her face flushed slightly.
“Oops, I drank your Coke.” She smiled apologetically. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Tang Song glanced at her fresh, radiant face and chuckled.
“No worries. Go ahead.”
Shen Yuyan giggled, just about to say something—
But suddenly—
Riiing!
A phone rang out sharply.
Tang Song checked the caller ID and turned to her.
“Qingqing’s probably done changing. Let’s continue this conversation another time.”
“Mhm, bye-bye. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Tang Song took one last sip of the Coke before getting up and heading toward the bedroom.
As she watched him walk away, Shen Yuyan pinched her own thigh, her eyes filled with hesitation.
Ever since she found out Tang Song was coming over tonight, her heart had been racing uncontrollably.
In the end, she had done her makeup, picked out an outfit, and waited for him in the living room—all just to make an impression.
She knew that with Tang Song’s intelligence and awareness, he had definitely caught on to her intentions.
But when she thought about her best friend in the bedroom, a wave of shame and guilt hit her.
Meanwhile—
“Ah!” The bedroom door creaked open.
A clear, sweet voice rang out.
“Hello, Tang Song classmate! I’m Xu Qing from the Faculty of Arts.”
Tang Song froze for a second and looked toward the bed.
Dressed in her old university uniform, Xu Qing sat neatly on her knees, her hair styled adorably, her expression playful and cute.
She radiated youthful energy, instantly pulling Tang Song’s memories back to campus life.
Combined with Shen Yuyan’s earlier teasing, Tang Song’s body heated up instantly.
Noticing his gaze, Xu Qing blinked and smiled mischievously.
“Tang Song classmate, shall we study together?”
Taking a deep breath, Tang Song immediately started unbuttoning his shirt.
“Of course!”
“Ahh! What are you doing?! We’re supposed to study!”
Xu Qing hid her face behind a book, giggling.
No doubt about it—Xu Qing was a born actress.
Once she got into character, she fully committed to the roleplay, perfectly embodying her student-era self.
Tang Song casually tossed his shirt aside and pushed Xu Qing down onto the bed, “Let’s learn something new.”
“You… you…” Xu Qing acted utterly terrified, “You scoundrel, you can’t… don’t… ahhh…”
Soon, the room was filled with all sorts of chaotic noises.
Xu Qing, who had been struggling desperately, was gradually subdued, her protests turning into soft whimpers.
Every now and then, a cry for help could be heard—
“Yanyan, save me!”
In the hallway outside, Shen Yuyan’s eye twitched uncontrollably as she listened to the sounds coming from the bedroom.
Her entire body felt numb.
Why did it sound like her best friend was being tortured?
Was this not a bit too much?
Monday, September 4, 2023. Clear skies. 23–31°C.
Riiing— Riiing—
The alarm clock rang loudly in the quiet bedroom, making it feel even more piercing.
Zhao Yaqian furrowed her brows and groggily reached out, fumbling for a while before grabbing her phone and turning off the alarm.
After silencing it, she rolled over in bed.
A pair of long, toned legs lay exposed, their smooth curves and snow-white skin making the entire room seem brighter.
She lay on her stomach for a moment, reluctant to get up, before finally sitting up and stretching.
She stepped barefoot onto the floor, changed into her workout gear, and headed to the balcony, where she started speed walking on the treadmill while watching a drama on her tablet.
After her workout, she stepped onto the scale.
[63kg]
Her recent dance and yoga training had helped her lose two kilograms.
Her body felt lighter and more coordinated, and her posture had become even more graceful.
Looking at her elegant, poised reflection in the full-length mirror, Zhao Yaqian smirked proudly.
There was no denying it—dance training truly enhanced one’s aura.
Besides that, she was also following Tang Song’s guidance—
Studying social etiquette and refining her artistic taste.
After warming up, she rolled out her yoga mat, facing the morning sun, and started her practice.
She had struggled with yoga in the past, but with consistent positive feedback, she had gained confidence and was improving rapidly.
Now, she could flow through the movements smoothly, and her form was beautifully precise.
“Good morning, Yaqian.”
“Ting Ting, morning.” Zhao Yaqian paused her routine, smiling in greeting.
He Liting laughed, “I’m making breakfast. What do you want to eat?”
“A sandwich is fine.”
“OK.” He Liting gave a thumbs-up before heading to the kitchen.
As she cooked, she also checked her phone, reviewing the views and likes on her latest video from the previous day.
The company team had already finalized the initial branding plan for their clothing line.
The tentative brand name was HEYIStudio.
Their target audience was young, fashion-forward women seeking unique self-expression, with a mid-to-high-end market positioning.
The brand department was already being assembled, and employee interviews would start this week.
She had also heard that Director Gao’s university junior, the designer behind the brand’s logo, would be joining soon.
Since this fashion brand was built around her personal brand, He Liting was fully committed, pouring her heart and soul into the project.
After breakfast, they tidied up quickly, changed outfits, and headed downstairs together.
They got into a pre-booked chauffeur-driven car.
The car made a brief stop at Yunxi Tower, then continued to the Isha Beauty headquarters.
Entering the Company
As they walked through the main entrance, the receptionist immediately stood up.
“Good morning, President Zhao.”
“Morning.”
“Good morning, President Zhao.”
Along the way, various employees greeted her warmly.
Zhao Yaqian smiled radiantly, responding earnestly to every single one.
Entering her brightly lit office, the first thing she did was water her plants and take a few photos to send to Tang Song.
Then, she sat at her desk, browsing through emails and internal system requests.
Isha Beauty was currently undergoing a comprehensive transformation into the high-end aesthetic medicine sector.
Even though she wasn’t involved in daily management, as a supervisor and chief beauty consultant, she still needed to make appearances and monitor the company’s cash flow.
Besides, she also needed to expand her social circle.
At the company, she had already built strong relationships with several colleagues, which gave her a sense of social belonging.
This fulfilled her, making her life feel richer and more satisfying.
Buzzzzz—
Her phone vibrated violently on the desk.
Zhao Yaqian let go of her mouse, glanced at the screen—
[Sister Smile]
Her heart skipped a beat.
She quickly picked up the call, her voice slightly nervous.
“Hello? Sister Smile.” Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novelfire(.)net
“Good morning, Yaqian.”
A clear, melodious voice came through the receiver, pure and untainted, pleasant to the ears.
“Good morning! What’s up?”
“I’ll be in Yan City before Mid-Autumn Festival. I’d like to meet and chat with you.”
Hearing this, Zhao Yaqian immediately stood up from her chair.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Then… should I bring Xiaoxue with me?”
“Lin Muxue? Heh, up to you.”
“Then…” Zhao Yaqian pressed her lips together, momentarily at a loss for words.
There was a brief pause before the voice on the other end continued,
“No need to be nervous. I’m not coming specifically for you—I just have some matters to handle and thought we could talk.”
“Oh, okay.”
“That’s all. Byebye.”
“Byebye.”
As soon as the call ended, Zhao Yaqian collapsed back into her chair, her chest rising and falling as her mind spun in confusion.
She had been keeping a secret from Tang Song all this time.
Back when she transferred ownership of a property at Anjia Real Estate, she had met a woman named Shangguan Qiuya, who had been the previous owner.
Through her, she had learned about Sister Smile.
According to Shangguan Qiuya, Sister Smile was Tang Song’s official girlfriend, currently living in Beijing.
Somehow, she had gotten involved with Sister Smile and had been explicitly told to keep everything from Tang Song.
Though their conversations had been few, every time Zhao Yaqian spoke with Sister Smile, she felt immense pressure.
Most of the time, Sister Smile would inquire about her relationship with Tang Song.
It was precisely because of Sister Smile that she had decided to come clean to Lin Muxue, pushing their relationship forward and even bringing her into their dynamic.
Biting her lip, Zhao Yaqian quickly pulled herself together.
Right now, Xiaoxue was already a financial powerhouse, mingling with the top elites.
When Sister Smile came to Yan City, she would bring Xiaoxue along to meet this so-called official girlfriend.
With Xiaoxue by her side, she wouldn’t have to worry too much.