novelraw Chapter 485: Ten Times
Chapter 485: Ten Times
Luxury yacht cruise, beach volleyball, name tag ripping, seafood steam buffet, undersea world, golden coastline, the Solitude Library...
On the return coach, although everyone was visibly tired, the atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and chatter.
Songmei Fashion hadn’t been around for long. Most of the employees had only just become permanent, and many were newly hired. Naturally, there was still a sense of unfamiliarity between them.
This team-building trip had become a great icebreaker.
Gao Mengting leaned back in her seat, gazing at the sunset outside the window, a faint smile on her lips.
Tang Song handed her a bottle of water and asked with concern, “Tired? You were really going all out today.”
“Tired, but super happy. It was amazing!” Gao Mengting took the water and sipped it, her eyes scanning their colleagues around her, face full of contentment.
To her, Songmei Fashion was something she and Tang Song had built together bit by bit.
Now bringing so many employees to her hometown for a team trip—there was a real sense of achievement in her heart.
It kind of felt like returning home in glory.“Yeah, it really was fun.” Tang Song nodded with a slight grin, then leaned in with a playful glint in his eyes and whispered, “But how about we grab another drink tonight, take a walk?”
Gao Mengting’s cheeks flushed a bit. She bit her lower lip and gave him a glare, then smugly said,
“Afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I made plans with my high school friends tonight. And I’m staying home for the night too.”
Besides the company trip, the biggest reason she’d come to Wushan was to visit her parents and catch up with old friends.
After the three-day schedule, she wasn’t going back to Yancheng immediately.
She planned to stay a few extra days until after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Partly to be with her family, and partly to wait for the next batch of staff.
She also hoped to catch some buzz by hanging around the filming site of Snowy Night Clears with livestream host He Yiyi.
Tang Song raised a brow, “Oh? High school friends? Guys or girls?”
“Hmm…” Gao Mengting squinted, playfully tapping her chin with a fingertip. “Why don’t you guess?”
Seeing Tang Song fall silent and deep in thought, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Lowering her voice, she explained,
“Relax. It’s a girl! We’ve been besties since we were little. Known each other for more than ten years now.”
“All right then. You have my permission.”
Gao Mengting lightly smacked him and feigned annoyance, “Why do I need your permission?”
“President Gao, this is a team-building trip,” Tang Song adjusted his posture with mock seriousness, his eyes glinting with amusement. “As CEO of the company, it’s my duty to supervise your schedule and safety. If anything happened, I’d be held responsible.”
Gao Mengting snorted twice and turned her head to look back out the window, though her lips were already curling into a smile.
The coach drove north along the coastal road, slowly pulling into the Shangri-La Hotel.
HR rep Zhang Ying called out enthusiastically,
“Everyone, attention! Go rest, shower, don’t snack on junk food—tonight we’ve got BBQ!”
Cheers broke out among the group as they made their way into the hotel.
“Bye, Senior!”
“Take care on the road!”
“Bye-bye.”
Gao Mengting waved goodbye to a couple of colleagues and hopped into a taxi.
As the cab disappeared into traffic, Xu An turned to look at Qiuqiu beside him, his gaze pausing briefly at the top of her head.
【Cultivating... 81%...】(Not yet sprouted)
The cultivation progress was slower than expected.
Maybe it was the cheerful vibe of the trip, or the fun of the activities—she seemed more upbeat and lively overall.
Noticing Tang Song’s glance, Cheng Qiuqiu’s eyes flickered awkwardly and she turned slightly to look at the sea shimmering under the sunset.
Tang Song smiled and teased, “Qiqi, Mengting said you’re super timid. Are you sure you can sleep alone tonight?”
Cheng Qiuqiu shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”
Tang Song looked at her aloof expression and couldn’t help but joke,
“If you’re scared, I can come sleep with you.”
“Ah!” Cheng Qiuqiu gasped, her fair face flushing a bright red almost instantly. “I’m not scared!”
Tang Song laughed heartily and bumped her arm. “Just kidding. Come on, Qiqi, let’s head back and freshen up for the BBQ tonight.”
Watching his back, Cheng Qiuqiu bit her lip and quickly followed after.
The elevator was quiet with just the two of them inside.
Cheng Qiuqiu looked up and met Tang Song’s clear black-and-white eyes.
Their gaze locked briefly, an unspoken current passing between them.
Her heart beat faster, and her hands clasped in front of her tightened.
“Ding—”
The elevator stopped at the 19th floor.
Cheng Qiuqiu quickly lowered her head and picked up her pace, clearly uncomfortable being alone with him.
She fumbled with her keycard and quickly unlocked the door, slipping into the room.
“Whew—”
As the door shut behind her, she let out a long breath.
She tossed her bag aside and sat on the bed, zoning out.
But Tang Song’s voice still echoed in her mind: “Sleep with you tonight.”
She knew it was just a joke between friends, but somehow—it really stuck with her.
“Ring ring ring—”
Her phone suddenly rang, snapping her out of it.
【Xu An】
Answering the call, she said, “Hello, Xu An.”
“Hey Qiuqiu, I just wrapped up a shoot. I’ve got a few days off—want to hang out tonight?”
Cheng Qiuqiu paused. “We have a company event tonight. I can’t skip it.”
“Oh? Alright then,” Xu An said. “How about tomorrow night, then? I’ve got a friend who’s connected to the field producers. He might be able to help your company get access to livestream from the filming set.”
Her eyes lit up. “Thanks, Xu An! That’d be great. I’ll let my boss know.”
“Cool. It’s a plan.” His tone became more upbeat. “Honestly, it’s been a while—I really miss you. Looking forward to tomorrow.”
Cheng Qiuqiu didn’t respond to that. “I gotta go pack. Talk later.”
“Alright, bye.”
After hanging up, she quickly freshened up and changed clothes, then happily messaged Gao Mengting to share the good news.
Usually, during a shoot, outsiders aren’t allowed to livestream or film on-site without going through approval.
As a livestream e-commerce brand, Songmei Fashion wouldn’t normally pass such a process.
But with support from a field producer or director, it became much easier.
They could go in under the guise of promotional content—even just a behind-the-scenes clip with He Yiyi could generate buzz.
It was a solid opportunity for Songmei, which was in the middle of building its brand.
Just then—
Knock knock knock.
A knock on the door.
Then came Tang Song’s voice from outside, “It’s me.”
Cheng Qiuqiu blinked, quickly stood up, hesitated for a moment, tidied her still-damp hair, and opened the door.
Tang Song’s eyes instinctively drifted to the top of her head.
【Cultivating... 82%...】(Not yet sprouted)
Good lord—
It actually increased by 1%!
Cheng Qiuqiu looked a little nervous and said, “President Tang... is there something you need?”
Tang Song walked straight in, turned to glance at her, and said, “So if there’s nothing, I can’t come chat with you? Seems like you don’t treat me as a friend.”
“That’s not it!” Cheng Qiuqiu quickly looked up, flustered. “I just... just wanted to ask, I didn’t mean anything else.”
She didn’t have many friends, but Tang Song was definitely one of the most important ones.
“There’s still a bit of time before the BBQ starts. Let’s sit down and talk for a bit.”
“Okay.” Cheng Qiuqiu nodded and followed Tang Song to sit down on the sofa in the lounge area.
Looking at her cool and elegant face across from him, Tang Song suddenly asked curiously, “I heard that people who study art usually have calluses on their hands—is that true?”
“Mhm, it is.” Cheng Qiuqiu answered seriously. “Because of the long-term contact and friction with pens and brushes, most of us end up with calluses.”
“Can I take a look at yours?”
Cheng Qiuqiu paused, then obediently extended her right hand, purposely showing him the tips of her fingers.
“Wow, you really do.” Tang Song reached out and held her hand, his long and warm fingers gently rubbing the calluses on her skin.
Cheng Qiuqiu froze, instinctively trying to pull her arm back, but didn’t succeed.
“Don’t be nervous, I’m just genuinely curious. I practiced sketching too, but since I didn’t hold the pen much, I never developed any calluses.” Tang Song placed her hand in his palm, smiling as he looked at her.
That tingling, electric feeling traveled from her hand to the rest of her body in an instant.
Cheng Qiuqiu’s lips trembled slightly, her head spinning, unable to say a word.
She could only let their hands continue to touch and rub against each other.
This was her first time truly holding hands with a guy—and it was Tang Song, her senior’s boyfriend.
【Cultivating... 83%...】(Not yet sprouted)
......
The taxi slowly stopped by the roadside.
Gao Mengting got out with her bag, her gaze sweeping over the bustling street in front of her, a radiant smile blooming on her face.
This was a well-known snack street in Wushan—it had been around since she was seven or eight.
Her middle and high schools were both not far from here, and this street was a big part of her fond memories as a student.
At night, the snack street was brightly lit and packed with people. The shouts of vendors mingled with the clanging of woks and the beeping of e-bikes.
The air was filled with the aroma of grilled skewers, the savory scent of sizzling squid, and the sweet, nutty smell of roasted chestnuts.
Following the crowd forward,
Gao Mengting’s gaze softly took in the familiar shops and stalls, soaking in the cozy, down-to-earth vibe of her hometown.
In the year or so she hadn’t been back, several new shops had opened.
Of course, there were still the familiar old names from her memory—like Fuxing Seafood BBQ.
Despite the grand-sounding name, it was just a fairly spacious little roadside shop.
Every holiday or weekend, this place was always packed.
She used to come here with classmates often when she was younger.
They’d order a few plates of grilled seafood, crack open a few cold drinks—it was the good life.
Pushing open the glass door,
a wave of warm air carrying the mix of seafood and smoky charcoal hit her in the face.
“Yo, if it isn’t Mengting!”
The owner sitting behind the register grinned, shouting in a northeastern accent, “Haven’t seen you in ages! Getting prettier by the day! How’s work, still busy?”
Gao Mengting was amused by his warmth and replied with a smile, “Uncle Zhang, you still know how to flatter people! Work’s alright—not too busy.”
After exchanging a few words,
Gao Mengting glanced around and quickly spotted her good friend, Hou Feifei, sitting by the window.
It had been seven or eight months since they last saw each other, but Feifei hadn’t changed much.
Wearing a long-sleeve T-shirt, her round face paired with round-framed glasses still looked just as cute and friendly.
“Tingting! Over here!”
Noticing Gao Mengting walking in, Hou Feifei stood up and waved enthusiastically.
Gao Mengting walked over quickly and gave her a tight hug. “It’s been forever, Feifei—I missed you so much.”
“Finally got you to show up, huh? Took long enough!” Hou Feifei looked her up and down, surprised. “Tingting, you’re glowing! And your vibe is totally different now!”
“Haha, laying it on thick already. Trying to get me to treat you, huh?”
“No, I’m being serious! You’ve really got that boss lady energy now—guess starting your own business suits you.”
After a few more exchanges, Hou Feifei urged, “Sit down already, I ordered ahead—we’re diving in!”
The small table was packed.
Garlic scallops, spicy stir-fried clams, sizzling squid, lamb skewers, and a plate of spicy crawfish.
“Can we finish all this? That’s a lot.”
“Relax. My appetite’s been crazy lately.”
As they chatted, the two sat down.
Hou Feifei handed her a can of cold beer. “Come on, pig out with me today. I’m so glad you came—I’ve been bottling this stuff up and it’s killing me.”
Seeing her expression, Gao Mengting asked with concern, “What happened? You sounded a little off when you called.”
“Here, have a drink with me first. Your girl’s got a heavy heart.” Hou Feifei clinked her can with hers.
Gao Mengting gave her a helpless smile and took a sip. “Okay, spill it.”
Hou Feifei pouted, face full of frustration. “Chen Zhengyu’s got a girlfriend now.”
Gao Mengting blinked, then clapped her hands. “Well damn, finally! Your sad little crush is officially over—congrats!”
They’d grown up in the same neighborhood and even went to the same high school—they were close friends.
Chen Zhengyu had been a classmate too: tall, good-looking, smart, and super popular at school.
Feifei had had a crush on him since high school—brought him snacks, chatted him up, wrote him notes.
After graduation, both stayed in Wushan.
That only made her chase harder. She’d always check on him, treat him to food and movies—textbook simp behavior.
Of course, Chen Zhengyu had shown some interest back, and they’d stayed in that ambiguous, “more than friends, not quite lovers” zone.
For the past couple years, he’d been stringing her along.
“Ugh, stop making fun of me!” Feifei glared and bit her lip. “The worst part is—his girlfriend is Lu Qian! Chen Zhengyu knows I hate her, and he still got with her! She even dragged him in front of me to show off—like, what the f***?!”
Gao Mengting froze, frowning. “Those two? Together? Chen Zhengyu and... Lu Qian?”
Lu Qian was also one of their old classmates, though a notoriously bad student back then—the classic school bully.
Even Mengting herself had butted heads with her.
Chen Zhengyu, on the other hand, was the model student who went on to a top university.
She never would've guessed they’d end up together.
“Chen Zhengyu is a f*ing ahole!” Hou Feifei growled. “I get it now—I was just his backup all along!”
She went on ranting while demolishing seafood.
After high school, Lu Qian went straight to Australia for college, only returning to Wushan last year.
Now she worked as a manager at her family’s company, drove a Porsche, and liked to show off at alumni gatherings.
Feifei had been dragged into a couple of those reunions but clashed with Lu Qian every time.
Their bad blood from the past only made things worse, and they even had a big argument recently.
So learning that her long-time crush was dating Lu Qian just left Feifei feeling sick.
Gao Mengting listened quietly, offering comforting words here and there.
On the beach, the bonfire had already been lit.
Orange flames danced in the night, casting a warm and cozy glow around the area.
“Don’t rush, brush on some oil first before adding the seasoning, or it’ll burn too easily.”
“Come try my grilled pork belly—guaranteed to outshine the whole crowd!”
The employees of Songmei Apparel were scattered in small groups around the barbecue pits, laughing and chatting. The air was filled with the rich scent of charcoal, cumin, and seafood.
Tang Song sat on a camping chair, holding a skewer of beef in his hand.
His gaze kept drifting toward the shy Qiuqiu beside him.
【Cultivating... 88%...】(Not yet sprouted)
Under his intentional, subtle touches—especially after personally making her several grilled treats—the progress of the 【Dream Seed】 had shot up to 88%.
But once it hit this stage, the growth slowed.
To break through quickly, he might need to pull out the big moves, like a “sudden kiss” or “hug.” The rightful source is novel[f]ire.net
Of course, Tang Song was a respectable man. He wouldn’t cross the line with a friend and employee.
Besides, with Qiuqiu’s current pace, she was already progressing steadily—if luck was on his side, the seed might sprout and connect tomorrow.
As he drifted off into thought—
“Bzzz bzzz bzzz—” His phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.
Tang Song pulled it out and glanced at the screen, a soft smile curling on his lips.
【Wen Ruan: “Ignored me all day—been too busy partying with your pretty coworkers, huh?”】
Tang Song raised his phone, snapped a photo of the scene in front of him, and sent it:
“Plenty of pretty girls here, but none as sexy and gorgeous as you, big sis. Miss you.”
【Wen Ruan: Smart boy 😏】
【Wen Ruan: Selfie video.mp4】
Tang Song put his phone on silent and tapped the video.
In an instant, his heart pounded, and his throat went dry.
Big sis had clearly just finished a workout—her fitness top was soaked in sweat, clinging to every curve.
That full chest, those firm hips, and that defined waistline...
All captured perfectly on camera.
At the end, Wen Ruan even tugged her pants down slightly, practically lighting him on fire.
【Wen Ruan: “Just finished working out, feeling itchy~ Too bad someone’s not around to help scratch it. Might need to use some... special tools 😏”】
Tang Song’s breathing grew ragged as he quickly replied:
“Big sis, we can video call tonight. I’ll guide you~”
【Wen Ruan: “No way. You’d make a mess with your hands, how embarrassing.”】
After a few flirty messages,
Tang Song was so turned on, even his abs were tensed.
Too bad he was still in Wushan—completely out of reach.
If Gao Mengting were still around, he definitely would've dragged her to his room to “test out the kettle again.”
Judging by last time, his partner was more than ready for deeper intimacy—at least she didn’t resist that level of contact.
Thinking of Gao Mengting, Tang Song’s gaze flickered.
Coming to Wushan like this—if they were a normal couple—he should’ve met her parents.
But Mengting was understanding. She never brought it up, never asked him for any commitment.
After thinking it over, Tang Song pulled up her contact and made a call.
He didn’t know if she’d gotten home yet—she hadn’t messaged him.
As her boyfriend, he should check in.
......
As the sky outside darkened, the street lights came on one by one.
At Fuxing Seafood BBQ, a few more empty beer cans had joined the table.
Gao Mengting pinched Hou Feifei’s cheek and said, “You’re so pretty—you’ll find someone way better than Chen Zhengyu. Make him regret it, and make Lu Qian green with envy.”
“Mhm!” Hou Feifei’s cheeks were flushed as she raised her beer. “Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Cans clinked.
Hou Feifei gulped down a few sips of beer and added a few bold words.
But her mood gradually dipped again.
“To be honest, I really did like Chen Zhengyu. He’s the best guy I’ve ever known—handsome, smart, checks all my boxes.”
In her eyes, Chen Zhengyu was flawless—good looks, 985 university graduate, mid-level manager at a foreign company, great salary.
That’s why she had willingly played the waiting game for so long, holding on to the hope that they’d end up together.
Gao Mengting patted her shoulder. “There are plenty of guys out there who are better-looking and more successful. You just haven’t met them yet.”
Hearing that, Hou Feifei looked up curiously, “Tingting, sounds like you know someone like that?”
Gao Mengting blinked, and an image of her business partner flashed in her mind. A faint smile tugged at her lips. “Of course.”
Hou Feifei’s eyes lit up. She scooted closer excitedly. “Then introduce him to me! We’re besties, remember? Don’t let good things go to outsiders!”
“Uh...” Gao Mengting’s eye twitched, and she awkwardly shook her head. “Maybe next time.”
“Wait a sec—you’re acting suspicious!” Hou Feifei stared at her, then realization dawned. “Don’t tell me... it’s your boyfriend!”
Gao Mengting stiffened, but quickly composed herself and calmly denied, “You’re imagining things. There’s nothing like that.”
She and Hou Feifei lived in the same neighborhood and saw each other often.
If Feifei found out, her parents would know too.
And that would bring a whole pile of drama—maybe even friction with Tang Song.
But Hou Feifei wouldn’t let it go. Her eyes sparkled with determination. “Really? Look me in the eye and say that—you can’t lie to me!”
“It’s really nothing!” Gao Mengting peeled off her gloves, stood up and said, “Too much beer—I’m going to the bathroom. You keep eating.”
Then she turned and walked off.
Watching her flustered retreat, Hou Feifei frowned slightly. Something definitely felt off.
Just then, “bzzz bzzz bzzz”— a vibration rang out.
Feifei glanced at the table—Gao Mengting had forgotten her phone in her rush.
【Tang Song】
A guy’s name.
Feifei couldn’t resist her curiosity and answered the call.
“Hello? My dear partner, done eating with your friend yet?” A deep, magnetic voice came through the speaker, filled with warmth and affection.
Feifei instantly sobered up. She asked cautiously, “Hi, I’m Tingting’s friend. Are you... her boyfriend?”
“Uh... yes. She’s mentioned you—Feifei, right? Hi, I’m Tang Song.”
Feifei’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, hi, Tang Song! So, uh, Tingting drank a bit too much and is throwing up in the restroom. I can’t handle her alone—can you come pick her up and take her home?”
“Oh? She drank too much? Got it. Where are you? I’ll head over right now.”
“Just navigate to Fuxing Seafood BBQ—it’s in the development district.”
After hanging up, Hou Feifei took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Well well, Tingting! You really kept this from me!
A boyfriend, huh? Someone better than Chen Zhengyu?
Let’s see what he looks like!
Beach BBQ scene.
Tang Song put down his phone and turned around. “Qiuqiu, something came up on Mengting’s end. I’ll head over first, you guys keep playing.”
Cheng Qiuqiu quickly looked up. “Do you need help?”
“No, it’s fine. I’m off. Bye.”
Tang Song waved casually and walked straight over to Liu Jiayi, who was standing in a corner.
She was quietly observing the lively BBQ scene but didn’t join in.
Noticing someone approaching, she looked up and greeted softly, “Mr. Tang.”
“Jiayi, I remember you brought a car here, right?”
“Mm, it’s parked in the Shangri-La lot.” Liu Jiayi nodded.
As Tang Song’s driver and head of security, she naturally had everything arranged in advance.
“I need it for a bit.”
“Okay.” Liu Jiayi didn’t ask any further, simply handed over the car keys with swift, efficient movements.
The two of them headed to the nearby parking lot.
Tang Song pressed the remote. With a crisp unlocking sound, the elegant Bentley Mulsanne’s lights blinked.
He opened the door, got into the driver’s seat, and started the engine—the deep, powerful rumble filled the cabin instantly.
Just as he finished setting up the navigation, his phone rang.
【Wen Ruan】
He answered. “Hey, Ruanruan. What’s up?”
“Hey, Tang Song.” Wen Ruan paused for a moment, then continued, “There’s something... I thought about it, and I still need to tell you.”
Tang Song raised his brows. “What is it?”
“Director Jin came to Yancheng.”
That short sentence made Tang Song’s heart jolt. His grip on the steering wheel instinctively tightened.
Jin Meixiao actually came to Yancheng?!
Then it hit him—she must’ve known he was in Wushan, which was why she chose this time to show up in Yancheng.
Even though a strong urge surged in his chest to rush back immediately, he forcibly suppressed the impulse.
He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, “Thanks, babe. I got it.”
Wen Ruan drawled playfully, with a hint of mischief in her tone: “So... wanna know where she’s staying?”
Tang Song paused for a beat. “Where?”
Wen Ruan’s voice turned sly and teasing: “Five times.”
“Deal.”
“Tsk, agreeing so easily. See? People really are different. In the end, I just can’t compare to others.”
Tang Song said helplessly, “Alright, babe, I was wrong.”
“Then... ten times?”
“Uh... Sis, you...”
“Sigh~~ What a tragic life I lead~”
“Deal!” Tang Song’s eye twitched—his big sis really had an addiction.