novelraw Chapter 481: Him in 2016
Chapter 481: Him in 2016
1:00 PM.
Yunxi Tower, Songmei Fashion, Finance Office.
Sun Youguang sat at his desk, focused and busy, surrounded by scattered documents and receipts.
High-speed train ticket confirmations, hotel prepayment invoices, chartered bus agreements, insurance purchase lists…
This was the first company retreat since the founding of Songmei Fashion, and leadership was taking it very seriously.
The first batch of participants included 45 employees.
But each person was allowed to bring one family member. The company would cover accommodations, meals, and other related expenses.
Employees only needed to pitch in a few hundred yuan to cover transportation and insurance to join.
All in all, counting family members, that made 64 people.
Based on these calculations, the event budget was expected to surpass 200,000 yuan.Still, for today’s Songmei Fashion, that was manageable.
As the company’s cost accountant, Sun Youguang knew the financials best—last month’s net profit hit 2.2 million yuan, largely thanks to the top streamer He Yiyi.
From his perspective, the company didn’t really need this many people to maintain operations—40 to 50 staff would’ve been enough.
Departments like planning, operations, and supply chain were somewhat bloated.
Even the newly formed Brand Department had yet to produce any results. The 【HEYI STUDIO】 brand was still in its infancy.
Still, he had full faith in the leadership. After all this time, President Tang had never been wrong.
He firmly believed Songmei Fashion would have another explosive breakthrough—just like during the “Bei Yuwei Incident.”
After carefully checking all the numbers and organizing the documents into folders to ensure no errors,
Sun Youguang finally let out a long breath of relief.
Buzz buzz— His phone screen lit up.
A new message popped up in the company’s retreat WeChat group:
[HR - Zhang Ying]: "Hi everyone! Those joining the retreat can leave work early at 2 PM. Please remember to submit your out-of-office request in OA, and check in at the train station by 16:50. Also, team shirts have been prepared in the event area—come grab yours!"
Sun Youguang saved his files and got up to head out.
The event area was already filled with coworkers, grouped in threes and fives, all buzzing with excitement about the trip.
Laid out on the table were crisp new team T-shirts—white with the Songmei Fashion logo printed across the chest.
“I heard we’re booked at the Shangri-La with ocean-view rooms! I’m waking up early to catch the sunrise!”
“I’m most looking forward to the seafood feast—apparently Wushan’s seafood is peak deliciousness this time of year.”
“President Tang! You’re here!”
“President Tang!”
Warm greetings echoed through the area.
Sun Youguang quickly turned and saw Tang Song approaching. He smiled brightly and called out, “President Tang!”
A moment later, his shoulder was patted.
Tang Song asked casually, “Youguang, your girlfriend’s joining the retreat too, right?”
“Yeah, she is!” Sun Youguang nodded enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear.
They had been together for years but never had the chance to travel to the beach.
Now that they both had stable jobs and even hoped to buy a home in Yan City, they were finally able to relax.
This trip meant a lot to them.
Soon, colleagues from HR and Admin began checking names and handing out the team shirts.
Tang Song grabbed his size and headed out.
As he stepped out of the event area, a glint of golden light flashed in the corner of his eye.
Cheng Qiuqiu was standing quietly in the far corner, lips tightly pressed, face emotionless. Above her head hovered a clear prompt:
【Cultivating… 72%..】 (Not Yet Sprouted)
Progress was faster than he expected—likely to sprout during the Wushan trip.
As if sensing something, Cheng Qiuqiu looked up toward him.
Their eyes met for a brief moment before she quickly looked away.
Tang Song raised an eyebrow and turned back toward the President’s Office.
After a quick tidy-up, he grabbed his briefcase and headed downstairs.
Once seated in the back of the Rolls-Royce, he asked casually, “Xiao Qi, did you pack everything?”
Liu Jiayi replied, “It’s in the trunk.”
“Good. Come upstairs with me for a bit. We’ll head to the train station together afterward.”
“Okay, President Tang.”
Soon, the car pulled into the underground parking of Yanjing Tiancheng.
Liu Jiayi retrieved a black carry-on from the trunk and followed Tang Song upstairs.
It was her first time entering this spacious high-rise apartment,
but her face showed no emotion—she simply followed behind him.
When she stepped into the master bedroom, Tang Song twitched slightly at the corner of his eye. “You can rest for a bit. I’m just packing.”
“Alright.” Liu Jiayi strode over to the lounge area and sat down on the single-seater by the balcony.
Posture straight. Eyes sharp.
Tang Song didn’t think much of it and walked into the walk-in closet.
He freshened up in the bathroom, then removed his suit jacket,
changed into casual pants and the team retreat shirt, and layered a loose shirt over it.
Looking at his sunny, relaxed reflection in the mirror, a satisfied smile crept across his face.
If you’re going on vacation, you should look like it.
This seaside trip was also a rare moment of relaxation for him.
He double-checked his change of clothes, razor, charger, and other items, then packed them into the suitcase.
Finally, he moved to the corner, opened the safe, and carefully took out [Tang Song’s Glasses].
These precious system items were always stored with extra caution.
Then his gaze fell to the very bottom of the safe.
He pulled out a delicate photo frame from the lowest shelf.
It was a picture he’d found in the safe the first time he entered this apartment.
Back then, Tang Song hadn’t yet regained full memories from 2016,
so the photo hadn’t triggered any recognition.
Now, after cross-referencing it in his mind, he instantly realized—
June 10, 2016, the day after the college entrance exam—the first time he met Secretary Jin.
She sat by the window in a café, dressed in a white silk blouse and black skirt, her hair in a ponytail, holding a copy of The Interpretation of Dreams.
Seeing the image, Tang Song’s expression softened.
In his memory, he hadn’t taken out a phone or camera that day.
It must have been the system’s doing—preserving a classic moment between the two of them.
He stared at the photo for a while, eyes reflecting a gentle glimmer.
Then he suddenly stood up and walked out.
Seeing Liu Jiayi still sitting quietly, he sat across from her with a calm expression. “Want something to drink?”
As he spoke, he casually placed the photo frame on the coffee table.
“No thanks.” Liu Jiayi’s gaze flicked across the frame, her pupils trembling slightly as a subtle, uncontrollable emotion surfaced on her face.
Tang Song’s eyes glimmered faintly, and he began chatting with Liu Jiayi about her hometown in Liaoning Province and their upcoming destination, Wushan.
Noticing her gaze constantly drifting to the photo, Tang Song finally got the confirmation he was looking for.
He’d already had his suspicions—it just hadn’t been confirmed until now.
From the looks of it, Liu Jiayi was very likely someone connected to Secretary Jin. She had definitely seen him before.
The two chatted for a while.
Then, Liu Jiayi suddenly stood up, her voice low and soft. “President Tang, let me help you tidy up the room.”
Tang Song raised an eyebrow. After a moment of silence, he nodded. “Alright. Thanks for the help.”
“It’s my duty.”
With that, Liu Jiayi began tidying up the bed, the desk, and the lounge area.
Her movements were swift and efficient—every detail was handled with meticulous care.
Then, under Tang Song’s watchful eye, she picked up the photo from the coffee table and carefully placed it on the nightstand, facing directly toward the pillow.
Tang Song’s eyes flickered with a trace of doubt at the unusual gesture, but he didn’t say anything.
Zhuxi Residential Complex.
“Aiya, Mom, stop nagging—I packed everything. I swear it’s all good!”
“Yeah, I’ll get to Wushan at 8:30 tonight, but I’ll be staying at a hotel with coworkers. I’ll drop by to visit you guys when I get a chance.”
“Huh?!” Gao Mengting yelped in a low voice, her face flushing red like a cooked shrimp. “What are you saying?! I’m rooming with a girl!”
“Ugh... You two, seriously—quit jumping to conclusions. I’ve got a handle on this, okay? It’s about time, I’m hanging up now!”
After ending the call, Gao Mengting rubbed her flushed cheeks and let out a long exhale.
She had never told her parents the full story about Tang Song.
All they knew was that she had a business partner helping her start a venture in Yan City—they had no idea about the real situation between them.
The main reason was: Gao Mengting herself wasn’t even sure what kind of relationship she had with Tang Song.
Logically speaking, they’d hugged, kissed, done everything a couple would—so they should count as being in a relationship.
But Tang Song had never once brought it up, let alone made any kind of confession.
Gao Mengting wasn’t clueless—she’d read plenty of books about love and human nature. She knew something about it didn’t feel right.
Still, she was addicted to the emotional connection they shared. She really enjoyed being with him.
Even if they didn’t end up together in the end, she wanted to love him with everything she had.
It was a desire buried deep in her soul—no matter how many doubts she had, she was willing to set them aside, at least for now.
But the way he acted sometimes gave her a strong sense of distance, a feeling like he wasn’t entirely real.
“A gentle, handsome business partner... I do long for your physical love, but I crave your love of the soul even more. But so far... I still haven’t felt it.”
“I want to see the real you. I hope this retreat to Wushan can break down the barrier between us.”
Sitting on the bed, Gao Mengting murmured to herself, a troubled look on her face.
Knock knock knock— A knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
“Senior Mengting, all packed? It’s about time—we should get going.” Updates are released by novęlfire.net
“Coming!” Gao Mengting took a deep breath, grabbed her suitcase, and opened the door.
She glanced at the junior standing outside and couldn’t help the flash of envy in her eyes.
Both of them wore the company-issued team shirts—but the difference between a D cup and a B cup? Yeah, instantly obvious.
Noticing her gaze, Cheng Qiuqiu blushed slightly. “Let’s go, Senior?”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Gao Mengting smiled and looped her arm around hers.
They took the elevator down, exited the complex, and got into a cab waiting by the curb.
Outside the window, the bustling city streets zipped past.
At some point, Su Yu’s unmistakable voice began playing from the car radio.
BGM: “As night falls, the neon dims... Your smile, hanging like the moon…”
Cheng Qiuqiu, sitting in the backseat, smiled softly and began humming along.
The song ended quickly.
The driver gave a thumbs-up from the front. “Miss, you sing beautifully—just like the original. This is a new Su Yu song, right? I’ve been hearing it everywhere.”
Cheng Qiuqiu beamed. Her tone was bright as she said, “Yeah, the song’s called ‘Together Through Time’. It was written, composed, and arranged entirely by Su Yu herself…”
And just like that, she opened up, chatting with the driver about the song.
Su Yu had released a lot of music over the past two years, but most were melancholic—a reflection of her not-so-happy state.
So when this gentle, timeless love song dropped, it came as a big surprise to fans.
Once the conversation wound down, the car grew quiet again.
Gao Mengting glanced at the girl beside her, then suddenly said, “Qiuqiu, I realized something—
you don’t just sound like Su Yu when you sing… even your figure and looks are kinda similar.”
If we’re talking body alone, this junior was easily among the best she knew.
Even Shen Yuyan from Yan City University of Technology couldn’t quite compare.
170 cm tall, 58 kg, D cup, with a waist-to-hip ratio around 0.7.
Slim waist, full hips, and legs for days—a perfect “manga” figure.
She really did resemble Su Yu.
“Th-thank you for the compliment, Senior…” Cheng Qiuqiu murmured, biting her lip.
She wasn’t too fazed when people complimented her looks—
but being told she resembled Su Yu? That was the ultimate praise.
Gao Mengting chuckled and gave her thigh a light tap. “Who knows, maybe one day, when Songmei Fashion becomes a big brand, we’ll hire Su Yu as a spokesperson—
and you’ll be the one to welcome her.”
Hearing that, Cheng Qiuqiu’s eyes lit up, her heart starting to race as she pictured the scene.
After a long pause, she licked her lips and turned to ask, “Senior, do you have a celebrity you admire?”
Gao Mengting blinked. “I’m not really into celebrities. But if I had to name an idol, I do have one.”
“Who?” Cheng Qiuqiu looked at her curiously.
Gao Mengting smiled and answered, word by word: “Jin. Mei. Xiao.”
Cheng Qiuqiu was briefly stunned, then nodded in realization. “Ah, Director Jin—she really is incredible.”
Gao Mengting sighed with admiration. “Right? She’s probably the idol of many women. A lot of my classmates admire her too.”
Cheng Qiuqiu bumped her arm lightly, speaking with sincere encouragement, “If Songmei Fashion ever goes public, you might actually meet your idol one day.”
Gao Mengting laughed, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes.
The car came to a smooth stop. The driver turned around with a smile. “Ladies, we’ve arrived.”
“Perfect, thanks!”
Gao Mengting pulled out her phone to scan and pay, then she and Cheng Qiuqiu retrieved their luggage from the trunk and headed toward the train station entrance.
Soon, they met up with the rest of the company employees.
Everyone was gathered in a noisy, cheerful cluster—chatting, laughing, and taking photos.
The whole waiting hall was filled with a light, happy energy.
A few minutes later, two more colleagues checked in.
Suddenly, a female employee pointed toward the entrance and exclaimed, eyes sparkling, “I see President Tang! Oh my god, he looks so handsome!”
With that, everyone turned to look.
There he was—Tang Song in a casual shirt, tall and poised, walking with confident ease.
His clear eyes radiated youthful energy and vibrant life.
He looked sharp, spirited, and completely in his element.
Cheng Qiuqiu felt a strange rush in her chest.
She couldn’t help but recall the image of Tang Song cycling through the ancient city.
“Hey! The woman behind President Tang is stunning too!”
“Wow, totally my type!”
Hearing the chatter, Cheng Qiuqiu couldn’t resist glancing over at the woman behind him...
She was tall, standing with poised and athletic posture.
Her skin had a healthy sun-kissed tone.
Her bare face had sharp, clean features—an androgynous beauty that was hard to define.
Her gaze was sharp and bright, as if it could pierce through someone’s soul.
She wore a simple women’s suit with no accessories at all.
Her sleek black hair was tied into a ponytail with a plain elastic, giving off serious “don’t mess with me” energy.
With a black handbag in one hand and her confident stride, she exuded charisma from head to toe.
Not just the guys—even a few girls who had just been ogling the boss snapped their heads toward this stunning, cool beauty.
After all, this kind of girl was rare in real life.
As the two drew closer, the previously lively group chatter gradually died down.
Everyone finally realized—President Tang seemed to have arrived with this woman.
A few people began shifting their eyes... toward Gao Mengting in the crowd.
Even though nothing had ever been confirmed publicly, it was pretty obvious to everyone that there was something going on between those two bosses.
And now, President Tang had brought an unfamiliar beauty to the company retreat... This was practically a live-action showdown.
Cheng Qiuqiu’s heart tightened. A shadow passed through her eyes.
Gao Mengting took a deep breath, trying hard to keep her smile calm and steady—but inside, she was a mess of emotions.
She had mentally prepared herself for this, even suspected it, but still didn’t expect Tang Song to be so... blatant.
The sound of footsteps came to a stop in front of the crowd.
Liu Jiayi stood quietly half a step behind Tang Song, her expression composed and cool, completely unfazed by the attention.
“President Tang!”
“President Tang!”
Tang Song lifted his hand and waved casually, his gaze sweeping across the group until it landed on the flawlessly made-up Gao Mengting and the girl beside her, Cheng Qiuqiu.
A soft smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Just moments ago, he had caught a glimpse of Cheng Qiuqiu’s status bar ticking up by 1%.
“This girl really is full of dark thoughts.”
Gao Mengting bit her lip and greeted quietly, “President Tang, you’re here.”
Tang Song nodded, then stepped slightly to the side and smiled as he introduced,
“This is my driver, Liu Jiayi. She’ll be joining us on the retreat.”
It had been a last-minute invite. Since the company had already booked the tickets and rooms, he hadn’t informed HR.
Besides, Liu Jiayi had her own booking channels—far more efficient than going through the company.
At that, the crowd froze for a beat, surprise and confusion flashing across their faces.
This kind of gorgeous woman... was a driver?
The corner of Gao Mengting’s eye twitched, but her face bloomed with a warm smile as she enthusiastically said,
“Welcome, Jiayi!”
“Welcome, pretty lady!”
The rest of the group snapped back into gear, quickly joining in with cheerful welcomes,
and the atmosphere once again turned lively and upbeat.
“Thank you,” Liu Jiayi replied with a small nod, keeping her expression neutral.
5:20 PM.
The high-speed train slowly departed the station.
Liu Jiayi sat slightly behind Tang Song, her gaze fixed due north.
Her eyes shimmered with deep longing.
Director Jin should’ve arrived in Yan City by now...
As evening fell and the city lights flickered on, the streets shimmered under the glow of neon and streetlamps.
It was like stepping into a dream.
A Maybach with a Beijing license plate glided into the underground parking lot of Yanjing Tiancheng.
Click— The car door opened with a soft sound.
Lin Tiantian swiftly walked to the backseat and respectfully pulled the door open.
A pair of long legs, wrapped in sheer nude stockings, stepped out gracefully.
Heels clicked crisply against the asphalt.
Then came a figure of stunning elegance—slim waist, squared shoulders, posture regal.
In the dim parking lot, her presence alone seemed to brighten the space.
Tap, tap, tap—
The sound of her heels hitting the ground was like a metronome—steady, rhythmic, each step exuding invisible pressure.
The front desk attendant in the lobby instinctively stood up straighter, his eyes trailing behind her until she disappeared at the elevator.
The button for floor 20 lit up.
Inside the mirrored elevator, her tall and poised reflection looked back at her.
Secretary Jin lowered her gaze slightly, slender fingers brushing a strand of brown hair behind her ear.
Her eyes were deep and unreadable.
Ding— The elevator doors opened slowly.
She stepped into the bright, wide hallway and approached the door.
Reaching out, her fingers trembled briefly—then quickly steadied.
She grasped the handle.
Click click— The smart lock disengaged.
The brown armored door opened softly, and she stepped into the spacious apartment.
Lin Tiantian quietly closed the door behind her and stayed in the entryway without disturbing her.
Standing in the center of the living room, Secretary Jin’s gaze swept over the traces of everyday life scattered around.
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on her face.
She casually straightened the throw pillow on the couch and closed the book left open on the coffee table.
Then she began to wander through the apartment, her steps gradually becoming more relaxed.
She stopped from time to time, quietly observing, lightly touching objects—
as if trying to reconstruct a full picture of him from these small details.
She pushed open the door to the master bedroom and paused for a moment at the threshold, then walked in.
The room was tidy and well-organized, but filled with signs of someone’s daily life.
She entered the walk-in closet.
Her fingers brushed lightly over the neatly hung shirts, finally landing on one that hadn’t been put away.
She picked it up, brought it close to her nose, and closed her eyes for a deep inhale.
After a while, she folded the shirt, along with the suit jacket draped beside it, carefully and precisely.
Leaving the closet, she walked over to the bed.
She gently smoothed the soft bedding and pillows.
Then her gaze landed on the photo frame on the nightstand.
Her steps paused.
She picked up the frame, fingertips tracing the glass surface.
Her eyes slowly lost focus.
No one in the world cared about this past more than she did.
And no one in the world was more unforgettable than him in 2016.
“Tang Song, Tang Song...” she murmured softly.