novelraw Chapter 468: The Autumn Night Is Drunken
Chapter 468: The Autumn Night Is Drunken
The golden ginkgo leaf swayed gently before finally landing at Tang Song’s feet.
The warmth in Bai Yueguang’s voice still echoed in his ears, so vivid, so real—confirming that this was no illusion.
"Thump-thump—"
His heartbeat pounded violently in his chest, like a war drum striking against his eardrums.
For his youth, Liu Qingning was the clearest symbol, the truest representation.
Lying on the field together, basking in the sun, talking about a bright future.
Hiding under the eaves, watching the raindrops fall from the sky, chatting about the little joys in life.
Sitting in the classroom, their arms pressed together, exchanging problem-solving ideas.
She was the brightest color of that time, the softest part of his heart, the Bai Yueguang he had chased countless times in his dreams yet could never quite grasp.
And now, at this moment, she seemed to have stepped straight out of his memories.A clean, fair face, a soft, flowing ponytail, clear eyes as pure as water...
Everything overlapped perfectly with the girl from his past, as if time had never left a trace on her.
Seeing Tang Song still standing there silently, just staring at her, Liu Qingning shyly raised a hand, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Under the night, her delicate wrist gleamed like porcelain.
Then, she took a small step toward him.
"Tap, tap—"
Now, there was less than half a meter between them.
The warm streetlight above wrapped them both in its glow.
Liu Qingning lifted her gaze to look at him.
Suddenly, she laughed, her long eyelashes fluttering like two tiny brushes, brushing against Tang Song’s restless heart.
The evening breeze blew from behind her, carrying the scent of her perfume, slipping into his lungs.
Tang Song lowered his eyes, taking in her delicate, slightly baby-fat face, his vision blurring with unshed tears.
He opened his mouth, but his throat was too dry to speak.
Liu Qingning reached out and pinched the bridge of his nose, her voice playful. "Hey, if you don’t say anything, I’m going to disappear."
Before she could finish speaking, she was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace.
The heat of his breath caressed her ear, making her heart race even faster.
Her body stiffened for a moment before gradually relaxing. She wrapped her arms around his strong waist, closing her eyes gently.
Feeling Bai Yueguang’s warmth against him, breathing in her familiar scent, Tang Song’s heart slowly calmed down.
"Why did you suddenly come here? You just finished the launch event today—you should be resting."
"Exactly," Liu Qingning said softly, as if afraid to break this rare moment of peace. "So, I came to Yan City for a little rest and vacation. Not welcome?"
"Of course, you are. I've always wanted to show you my home here."
Just as Tang Song finished speaking, he suddenly felt a sharp pain on his shoulder.
Liu Qingning had bitten him.
Releasing her teeth, she murmured, her voice tinged with emotion, "I don’t want to see it."
One of the reasons she had always hesitated to visit was the fear of seeing traces of Wen Ruan in his life—
Their clothes, their shoes, their skincare products…
All those small, everyday details would only serve as cruel reminders that he was no longer just her Tang Song.
This time, she had rushed over knowing Wen Ruan would be in Shenzhen for two or three days.
Which meant she had time—time to be with Tang Song alone, to talk.
Hearing her words, Tang Song felt another wave of guilt rise inside him.
"I’m sorry."
"If saying sorry worked, what would we need the police for? You scumbag!" Liu Qingning huffed, then opened her cherry lips and bit his neck—hard.
"Hiss—" Tang Song let out a low gasp, his arms tightening around her.
The reason he was so conflicted about Bai Yueguang was precisely because of guilt.
Liu Qingning had given so much for him and had even been planning to buy a house in Yan City for their future.
If he had known all of this before April, then perhaps…
There wouldn’t have been a beauty therapist, a certain "Sister Tian," or that fake socialite…
"Enough," Liu Qingning pushed against his chest. "Let go of me. People are passing by."
Tang Song loosened his arms, straightened up, and looked at her fresh, adorable face. Unable to resist, he leaned down and kissed her cheek.
Soft and delicate, with a subtle fragrance of skincare products.
Liu Qingning’s big, watery eyes widened in shock.
Under the dim yellow streetlight, a visible blush quickly spread across her face.
Her skin was sensitive—whenever the weather was cold or she was embarrassed, her cheeks would turn pink, making her look even more endearing.
"Who said you could kiss me?"
She pretended to be angry, poking his chest with her finger.
Tang Song smirked and leaned down again.
"Smooch—"
The sound echoed crisply in the quiet night.
Liu Qingning’s face turned even redder, like a ripe apple.
She lightly punched his chest, her voice carrying a playful scolding. "Hey! Don’t push your luck! If you do that again, I’ll really get mad!"
Tang Song bent down once more.
"Smooch—smooch—"
Liu Qingning swayed left and right, but her petite frame couldn’t escape his reach.
Frustrated, she finally resorted to her ultimate move—tickling him.
"Take this! See how I deal with you!" Liu Qingning threatened as she mercilessly attacked his most ticklish spot on his waist.
"Ah! Stop! I surrender! I was wrong, okay?"
"I command you—don’t move!"
"Mercy! Stop, it’s too much! I was wrong! I was wrong!"
Tang Song retreated step by step, his hands desperately trying to shield himself, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.
But Liu Qingning refused to let up, pressing forward relentlessly. "No way! You bullied me just now, and you think I’ll let you off that easily? Not a chance!"
Tang Song had always been ticklish—his ribs, armpits, and neck were all weak spots.
Even back in school, when he played games or chatted with other girls, or skipped class to go to an internet café, if he ever made Liu Qingning mad—
She would retaliate just like this, like an angry little kitten, scratching and tickling him relentlessly.
It was their little game.
And maybe that was why their youth was so unforgettable—so full of emotions, ups and downs, fights and laughter.
Perhaps, it was the same for Liu Qingning.
Tang Song tried to dodge, but she chased after him. Under the streetlight, they ran around, laughing, playing.
Ginkgo leaves swirled with their movements, occasionally landing on their shoulders and in their hair.
Passersby turned their heads to watch, expressions varying.
Some girls, seeing the poor victimized Tang Song, couldn’t help but feel a strong urge to protect him.
Meanwhile, the guys could only look on with envy at him—and at the adorably petite girl by his side.
Finally, after a long chase—
Liu Qingning, breathless, slowed down, and they both stopped.
"Alright, alright! If you keep this up, I’m really gonna die!"
Liu Qingning looked up at him and glared, threatening, "Next time you dare to kiss me without permission, I’ll tie you up and tickle you until you pass out!"
Tang Song and Liu Qingning bickered a little more.
After placing Liu Qingning’s suitcase into the Bentley Continental’s trunk, he took her hand, and the two strolled down the street, searching for the perfect ginkgo leaf.
Though the atmosphere had calmed, there was now an unspoken understanding between them.
Every glance they exchanged carried warmth.
It was a strange, yet pleasant feeling that lifted Tang Song’s spirits.
"What about this one?"
"No, not bright enough."
"This one?"
"The stem is broken."
As the night deepened, the streetlights grew dimmer.
Suddenly, Liu Qingning stopped in her tracks, her eyes shining as she pointed upward. "That one looks perfect! But it’s too high. Can you reach it?"
Tang Song followed her gaze.
The leaf was beautifully shaped, its veins distinct—almost flawless.
"Wait here, I’ll get it for you!" Tang Song confidently flashed an OK sign, then took a few steps back, steadying himself.
Taking a deep breath, he locked onto the target and sprinted forward.
As he neared the tree trunk, he seized the perfect moment, leaped up, and extended his arm.
His fingers wrapped around the stem of the ginkgo leaf with precision.
The motion was swift and clean, and when he landed, there was almost no sound—an effortless display of agility.
After all, thanks to the system’s enhancements, he was practically a walking cheat code. Dunking a basketball would be no problem for him now.
Looking at the leaf in his hand, Tang Song smirked in satisfaction and turned to present it to Liu Qingning. "What do you think?"
Liu Qingning gently took the ginkgo leaf, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she beamed up at him.
"Little Song, you’re amazing!"
Then, suddenly, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her soft, warm lips against his chin.
A featherlight touch.
Tingling.
Electric.
The sensation spread through Tang Song’s body in an instant, making his heartbeat skip.
Receiving Bai Yueguang’s praise, along with her taking the initiative to kiss him, gave him an unparalleled sense of fulfillment.
Perhaps it was the longing from his youth finally being answered.
Perhaps it was his way of making up for lost time.
"Let’s go, idiot Little Song! Let’s visit your alma mater!" Liu Qingning snapped her fingers, clasped her hands behind her back, and strode forward with playful energy.
Her steps were light and lively, making the whole night feel more vibrant.
The streetlights stretched her shadow long, merging it with the towering ginkgo trees, forming a picturesque scene.
Tang Song chuckled and jogged up behind her, suddenly wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"Ah—what are you doing?!"
As Liu Qingning gasped in surprise, he captured her lips in a kiss.
Time seemed to freeze.
All sounds faded away, leaving only the rhythm of their heartbeats in the quiet night.
Liu Qingning stiffened for a moment before slowly relaxing, closing her eyes.
Tasting Bai Yueguang’s shy yet tender lips, breathing in her familiar scent—Tang Song felt an unprecedented sense of peace.
—
Beicheng Garden Residential Complex
"This watermelon is so sweet! Yanyan, why are you spacing out? Eat some!"
"Oh." Shen Yuyan snapped out of her daze and absentmindedly picked up a slice, chewing slowly.
The fresh, juicy sweetness filled her mouth, but she barely tasted it.
Glancing at her best friend, who was engrossed in a variety show, Shen Yuyan suddenly asked, "Tang Song left an hour ago. Why isn’t he back yet?"
Xu Qing shook her head. "No idea. You saw it yourself—he didn’t even reply to my messages. He’s probably busy. You know how it is, someone with his status has a ton of things to deal with."
Shen Yuyan pursed her lips and said quietly, "Isn’t it possible that he’s with another woman?"
Earlier, when Tang Song had taken that call, she hadn’t heard the conversation.
But she had watched his expressions carefully.
From his tone and demeanor, she could tell a lot.
It was definitely a woman.
And not just any woman—someone Tang Song deeply cared about.
She had only kept quiet because she didn’t want to upset her best friend.
"Ah—" Xu Qing’s face twisted into a ferocious expression. "We agreed—if he dares to ditch me, I’ll… I’ll punish you instead!"
She wanted to say something ruthless, but couldn’t think of anything truly menacing.
Shen Yuyan sighed, already regretting having any expectations for this cowardly best friend.
All bark, no bite—always chickening out when it mattered.
Exasperated, she said, "Why don’t you just call him?"
She had prepared for this night for so long, hoping for a deep conversation with him, maybe even getting a little closer.
"Wouldn’t that be… too much?" Xu Qing hesitated. "What if he gets annoyed?"
Shen Yuyan’s lips twitched.
She really shouldn’t have expected anything from this wimp.
Rolling her eyes, she said sarcastically, "With your attitude, you might as well just be his little maid."
Xu Qing blushed under her best friend’s disdainful gaze.
The two of them were close enough that Xu Qing had already spilled every detail about her first time with Tang Song—
Even the positions. The sensations.
And thanks to her novelist background, her descriptions had been exceptionally vivid.
Xu Qing’s big, dark eyes darted around mischievously. Teasing, she said, "I’ll call him, sure. But if he does end up spanking someone, it should be you! You’ve got more cushion than I do!"
With that, she reached out and smacked Shen Yuyan’s perky butt.
As expected of the campus belle—her figure was impeccable, curvy in all the right places.
Shen Yuyan bit her lip, then suddenly nodded. "Alright, I’m fine with that."
"(⊙_⊙) …"
Xu Qing blinked in surprise.
"You’re being way too nice about this. What’s the catch?"
Shen Yuyan smiled. "We’ve been best friends for over ten years. Watching you suffer would make me feel bad. I just want to share the burden."
Xu Qing narrowed her eyes suspiciously, about to say something when—
"Ding-dong—"
A WeChat notification interrupted her.
She quickly grabbed her phone.
【Tang Song: (#hug) Sorry, Qingqing. Something urgent came up tonight, I won’t be able to come over.】
Shen Yuyan’s heart suddenly felt empty.
The smile vanished from her face.
"Ah! He actually ditched me! Damn you, Tang Song!" Xu Qing pouted in frustration. "Ting, from now on, we’re banning him from coming over. This is unforgivable!"
They had planned to have dinner, watch TV, and cuddle before sleeping—
And tonight was even the best night of the week, Friday!
Now, he had completely disappeared and only texted her back this late.
There was no doubt about it—he had gone to be with another woman!
How could she, Xu Qing, just let this slide?
Just as she was about to type out an angry reply, her phone vibrated again.
【Tang Song: "WeChat Transfer ¥100,000.00. Please accept."】
【Tang Song: "Sorry again, this was really unexpected. I’ll be busy all weekend too, so I won’t be able to keep you company. Go shopping with Yanyan and treat yourselves."】
!!!
Xu Qing’s face almost pressed against the screen.
Her big, round eyes widened as she counted.
"One… ten… hundred… thousand… hundred thousand!"
"A hundred thousand!"
"Ahhh! We hit the jackpot! Yanyan, we’re rich!"
A piercing scream rang out in the quiet living room.
Xu Qing’s eyes sparkled as she opened the chat box and quickly typed:
"Got it, Master! Don’t overwork yourself, remember to rest. If you need anything, just call me. Goodnight, mwah mwah~"
After sending the message, she clicked Accept Payment.
Then, like an overexcited husky, she pounced on Shen Yuyan, rubbing, nuzzling, and playfully headbutting her.
Shen Yuyan quickly swatted away her mischievous hands, exasperated. "Can you calm down? Look at you—have some dignity. Didn’t he already give you a DB11? Why are you acting like this over ten grand?"
"This is different, okay?! This is actual cash—I can buy so many things with it!" Xu Qing pouted, hands on her hips. "You have to go shopping with me tomorrow. My tablet is lagging so bad, I need a new one! And clothes—let’s hit up some luxury stores. I feel like my current wardrobe doesn’t match my car! Hahaha!"
"Not interested, I don’t have the time."
Shen Yuyan shook her head, got up, and walked to the kitchen. She pulled a cocktail from the fridge, then returned to the couch and took a slow sip.
Bitter.
Xu Qing whined, shaking her by the shoulders. "Come on! We’ll spend it together! You don’t even have to shop, just keep me company! It’s boring to go alone."
"This money is from Tang Song for you. Why should I spend it?"
Xu Qing pouted. "Oh, so now we’re keeping track? Weren’t you always saying that when you made it big, when you became financially free, we’d spend money together? Well, now that I’ve got money, of course I wanna share it with you! What’s the point if I don’t?"
She used to be a classic "waiting-for-my-bestie-to-make-it-big" girl—just coasting along, waiting for Yanyan to succeed and pull her up.
Now that her own life was getting better, of course, she wanted to take her best friend along for the ride.
Shen Yuyan pressed her lips together, her gaze softening slightly.
"Please, Yanyan?" Xu Qing nudged her, voice sweet. "It’s been months since we went shopping together."
Shen Yuyan turned to her suddenly. "Qingqing, have you ever thought about your future with Tang Song?"
Xu Qing froze, her eyes darting nervously. "I… I’m not in a rush. I haven’t really thought that far ahead."
Her relationship with Tang Song had escalated to that level due to various reasons.
Mainly, she kept unconsciously blending reality with the fantasy of a novel—projecting herself into a story.
Right now, she was just enjoying the romance, watching her fictional dreams play out in real life.
She hadn’t really thought about where it was all heading.
"You do realize he’s not only with you, right?" Shen Yuyan exhaled softly. "Wen Ruan, Lin Muxue, Xiaojing… In the end, who do you think he’ll marry? Will it be you?"
"I don’t know…" Xu Qing bit her lip and shrank back a little, then huffed, "Marriage isn’t that big of a deal. Right now, I’m having fun—eating, drinking, taking joyrides in my sports car. Isn’t that enough?"
She knew she had the least competitive edge among those women.
Wen Ruan was the Executive Director and President of Light & Shadow Media—with, well… huge assets.
Lin Muxue was his assistant, highly competent and always by his side.
And Xiaojing? A classic white rich beauty heiress.
Xu Qing could only bully them mercilessly in her novels. In reality? She’d keep her mouth shut and not make a sound.
Shen Yuyan’s voice softened. "I’m 25 now. One day, I’ll find someone, get married, and start a family. When that happens, we’ll have to go our separate ways. I might even move to another city, and we’d only see each other a few times a year."
"(>~<) Nooo! I don’t want to be apart from you!" Xu Qing shook her head violently and hugged Shen Yuyan tightly.
Shen Yuyan patted her head. "That’s inevitable. One day, we’ll each have our own lives. Unless…"
Xu Qing’s ears twitched. She lifted her head. "Unless what?"
"Unless…" Shen Yuyan slowly leaned in.
Ten centimeters… Five centimeters…
Their noses touched.
Xu Qing blinked rapidly, staring. "What are you doing? Why aren’t you talking?"
Shen Yuyan smirked slightly, tilting her head. "Unless we share the same husband."
Xu Qing’s face turned bright red. She stared at her in shock. "W-What?! That’s—how is that even possible?!"
They locked eyes.
Shen Yuyan leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Relax, I’m just messing with you. Look at you freak out—hahaha!"
"Ugh! You scheming witch! I knew you were trying to mess with me again!" Xu Qing pounced, tackling her onto the couch.
As they wrestled and giggled, Shen Yuyan’s gaze drifted off, her mind filled with thoughts of Tang Song.
Right now…
Who was with him?
—
[BGM: "You loved too much, promising me a life as sweet as honey…"]
Inside the quiet car, Liu Qingning’s melodious voice filled the cabin.
Tang Song lightly tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, listening in silence, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The bright city lights flickered past as his Bentley Continental glided into Yanjing Tiancheng’s underground parking lot.
As he pulled into a spot and parked—
Liu Qingning suddenly frowned, realizing something. "Wait, weren’t we supposed to go to a hotel? You lied to me!"
Tang Song unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to her with a smirk. "I live alone."
"Really?" Liu Qingning narrowed her eyes at him. "And Wen Ruan?"
"She has her own place in Qiaoxi District. We don’t live together."
A flicker of emotion crossed Liu Qingning’s face. "If I find out you lied, you’re done for."
She had seen Wen Ruan before—an incredibly charming woman with an absurdly perfect figure.
Two people like that, in the same city? And Tang Song, of all people, had self-control?
"Come on, see for yourself." Tang Song ruffled her hair, then got out of the car.
He grabbed her suitcase from the trunk and led her into the lobby, taking the elevator up to the 20th floor.
As the armored doors slid open, a wave of luxury washed over her.
Liu Qingning’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she surveyed her surroundings.
There was no way she wasn’t intrigued by Tang Song’s living space.
The decor was beyond high-end—more exquisite than even Su Yu’s luxury home in Shenzhen Bay No.1.
"This is the dining room. That’s the dual kitchen. Over here is the study…"
Tang Song patiently guided her through the layout, finally pushing open the door to the master bedroom.
Seeing no suspicious traces inside, Liu Qingning let out a small breath of relief.
A smile crept onto her face as she explored his home, touching this, sitting there, lying down here—completely at ease.
"What do you think?" Tang Song handed her a cup of warm water.
Liu Qingning took a small sip and nodded. "It’s amazing. Even better than I imagined."
Tang Song smiled. "The bed’s really comfortable too. You should try it out later."
Immediately, Liu Qingning’s guard went up. She crossed her arms and took a step back.
"We agreed! You have to give me time—to understand you now, to know the people around you, to plan my next steps. Then, I’ll decide how we move forward."
Tang Song took a step forward, wrapping an arm around her waist. His voice was steady. "I just want to hold you while we sleep. I promise I won’t do anything."
"Ting, you really think I’d believe that?" Liu Qingning shot him a skeptical look. "There are plenty of other rooms here—I’ll sleep anywhere but the master bedroom."
"Then you take the master, I’ll sleep in the guest room."
"Alright, you said it yourself." Liu Qingning raised an eyebrow, pushed Tang Song out of the master bedroom, locked the door, and dragged her suitcase into the walk-in closet.
She first glanced at Tang Song’s extensive collection of high-end clothes before opening her suitcase and starting to unpack.
Then, stepping into the bathroom, she noticed the various women's toiletries inside.
Her expression turned complicated.
Biting her lip, she forced herself to swallow the discomfort.
Wen Ruan’s acceptance of her situation, her willingness to be the other woman—to Liu Qingning, it was a shocking revelation.
It was also one of the reasons she had finally decided to come to Yan City.
After pulling off her sweater and carefully washing up, Liu Qingning changed into a fitted top and sleep pants, then returned to the bedroom. This text is hosted at novel✶fire.net
She lay down, breathing in the faint scent of Tang Song that lingered in the sheets.
A soft smile spread across her face.
This was someone incredibly important to her.
Being able to see him again, knowing that he was doing well—there was an indescribable sense of joy and happiness in her heart.
Just then—
"Click."
The lock turned.
The bedroom door creaked open.
Only wearing a pair of loose shorts, Tang Song casually walked in.
"I thought about it, and since this is your first time here, you must feel unfamiliar and maybe even a little scared. So, I figured I should keep you company tonight."
Seeing his toned, well-defined body—especially those sculpted eight-pack abs—
Liu Qingning’s face instantly flushed.
She glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed. "You’re shameless, aren’t you?"
Tang Song blinked, completely unbothered, and nodded. "Yep."
"You—!" Liu Qingning’s big, round eyes widened even more, puffing her cheeks in frustration.
Tang Song’s gaze instinctively lowered.
The way her chest rose and fell sharply…
Back in his teenage years, Liu Qingning had been the ultimate fantasy.
Smart, adorable, close to him—
And most importantly…
Well-endowed.
For a hormone-raging adolescent like him, the biological attraction had been impossible to ignore.
Noticing his heated stare, Liu Qingning quickly turned around and flopped onto the bed, yanking the blanket over herself until she was completely wrapped up.
"I’m going to sleep!"
With that, she reached out and switched off the main light.
A soft, warm glow from the ambient lighting automatically filled the room, unintentionally adding a romantic atmosphere.
Tang Song chuckled, then laid down beside her, wrapping his arms around her through the blanket.
Liu Qingning shot him a deadly glare but didn’t say anything more.
In the dim light, Tang Song studied her familiar, delicate features up close.
Their foreheads gently touched.
"Thank you for coming to see me."
Hearing his deep, gentle voice, Liu Qingning’s body relaxed.
The tension in her muscles slowly melted away.
She murmured, voice muffled by the blanket, "I promised you so many times before… but I kept breaking my word."
"It’s okay." Tang Song cut in softly, his fingers lightly brushing through her hair.
"I know you’ve been busy. And I know you’ve always cared."
His voice deepened slightly.
"I love you, Qingning."
Liu Qingning buried her burning face deeper into the blanket.
"It’s late. Sleep early. Tomorrow, you have to take me out—good food, movies, sightseeing."
"Mm." Tang Song hummed. "Anything you want."
The room gradually fell into a peaceful silence.
Only their soft, steady breaths intertwined in the quiet night.
Outside, the darkness was thick as ink.
Time blurred.
"Goodnight," Tang Song whispered into her ear.
"Goodnight," Liu Qingning replied, her voice carrying a hint of drowsiness, as if she was already drifting off.
Tang Song gently lifted the edge of the blanket and carefully slipped inside.
Pulling her warm, soft body into his arms.
Liu Qingning stirred slightly but didn’t resist.
Instead, she curled up closer, seeking a more comfortable position.
Tang Song inhaled deeply, letting himself soak in Bai Yueguang’s warmth and presence.
His gaze was soft, his heart full.
She was real.
She was here.
She was the untouched, unregrettable piece of his youth.