novelraw Chapter 488: “Whispers of Yang City” | [Su Yu’s Emotional Fragment]
Chapter 488: “Whispers of Yang City” | [Su Yu’s Emotional Fragment]
“Goodbye, Uncle, Auntie. You two can head back now.”
Tang Song opened the car door and got into the driver’s seat.
Standing by the car window, Gao Mengting said gently, “Don’t forget to message me when you get to the hotel.”
“Mm, bye-bye. See you tomorrow,” Tang Song replied with a smile and gave her an “OK” hand gesture.
The engine’s ignition broke the quiet of the night, and the Bentley Mulsanne slowly drove off.
As she watched the red taillights disappear around the corner, Gao Mengting let out a long breath. She looked down and gently kicked a fallen leaf by her foot, trying to hide the strong reluctance on her face.
“Our girl really struck gold, huh!” Gao Jinshan withdrew his gaze, grinning from ear to ear. “This Tang Song kid—he’s sharp, polite, capable, and so generous and genuine. There’s nothing to complain about!”
Right after, Zhao Suyun’s voice chimed in, a mix of excitement and mock-complaint. “Tingting, this is such a big deal. Why didn’t you say anything earlier? Your dad and I weren’t prepared at all!”
Gao Mengting blushed a little and mumbled, “It’s just getting started. Nothing’s certain yet. I didn’t think it was time for Tang Song to come to our place.”
“What do you mean 'just getting started’? He’s such a great guy, you better not take this lightly!” Zhao Suyun patted her daughter’s hand, clearly nudging her.“I know, Mom—” Gao Mengting replied, a bit helpless.
Gao Jinshan hesitated, then asked in a low voice, “Tingting, that car Tang Song’s driving... that’s a Bentley, right? It looked really high-end. That thing must cost a few million?”
He didn’t know much about cars, especially luxury ones like that. He’d heard of the brand, but had no idea about the actual price.
“A few million? That expensive?!” Zhao Suyun gasped. “Tingting, about Tang Song’s family…”
Gao Mengting quickly cut in, “Alright, Dad, Mom, stop fishing for info. I’ve got things under control.”
“Alright, alright.”
The three of them chatted as they headed upstairs. Their footsteps echoed in the narrow stairwell.
Gao Jinshan was humming a cheerful old tune, walking with a spring in his step, as if he were floating on air.
When they opened the door, he rushed straight to the two cardboard boxes on the floor, his eyes lighting up like he’d just discovered buried treasure.
Zhao Suyun couldn’t help scolding him with a laugh. “Look at you! We just saw the guest off and you already can’t sit still. Don’t go messing things up with those clumsy hands of yours!”
“Come on now, how could I? These were gifts from my son-in-law—I’ve gotta treat them like gold!” Gao Jinshan rubbed his hands together, grabbed a utility knife, and started cutting open the tape, one box at a time.
Inside were six golden bottles of Maotai, and several vibrant red cartons of Chunghwa cigarettes, all neatly arranged.
He gently ran his hand over them, clearly delighted, like he was touching a masterpiece.
After a moment, he couldn’t help himself—he pulled out a pack of Chunghwa, opened it, took out a cigarette, and lit it up.
Eyes half-closed, he exhaled a puff of smoke and said with utter satisfaction, “Ahhh, now this is flavor.”
Just then, Gao Mengting came out of the bathroom and saw the scene. She frowned and advised, “Dad, you should really cut down on the smoking. It’s not good for your health.”
“Hey, you know your old man’s as strong as a bull—nothing to worry about!” Gao Jinshan replied with a cigarette between his lips. Then he opened a bottle of Feitian Maotai, examining it carefully. “Tsk tsk, this is the real deal. Just feel that weight in your hand, and look at this classy packaging!”
Right then, he felt like he had reached the peak of his life.
Watching her dad’s expression, Gao Mengting sighed. “I’m heading to bed first. Once the team-building stuff is done, I’ll take you and Mom to the hospital for full check-ups.”
Her parents were getting older. Now that she had the means, of course she wanted to make sure they stayed healthy.
She returned to her familiar little bedroom.
Sitting down at her desk, she turned on the lamp, pulled a thick pale-blue notebook off the shelf, and gently flipped it open.
It was her high school diary—not something she wrote in daily, but rather updated on weekends whenever she came home from school, jotting down bits and pieces of what had happened recently.
It carried many of her precious memories.
She flipped straight to the last page.
There, she had once written a Wish List:
Read at least 50 books a year
Learn to play the violin
Open her very own clothing store, and wear new outfits every day
See the Northern Lights in Iceland
Find her very own “Mr. Darcy”
Under the lamp’s glow, a warm smile spread across Gao Mengting’s face.
She picked out her favorite pen from the holder and checked off the last item.
As a bit of an idealist, she believed love should be like those beautiful fragments in literature—not overly polished, but able to strike straight at the heart.
Tang Song’s appearance felt like a small miracle gifted by fate.
Of course, she knew real life wasn’t always so poetic.
Like her dream clothing shop and a cherished friendship—both had crumbled later on due to financial conflicts.
Would something similar happen between her and Tang Song someday? Could they really hold on to what they had?
There was no way to know. But for now, she chose to believe in the present—this miracle—and to embrace her partner wholeheartedly.
She didn’t know how much time had passed.
Ding-dong— a WeChat notification popped up.
【Tang Song: “I’m at the hotel. Get some rest. Good night and sweet dreams.”】
Gao Mengting smiled and replied with a simple: “Good night.” Then she set her phone aside, got under the covers, and turned off the light.
Darkness fell. A sweet dream followed.
The hotel hallway was quiet at night.
A set of footsteps echoed clearly, growing closer until they stopped at a door.
Tang Song turned slightly and stared at the door in front of him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
【Cultivating... 88%...】 (Not yet sprouted)
The system tags were quite useful. He could only see them when someone was nearby or in his line of sight.
Right now, the glowing tag was less than a meter away.
Which meant—Qiuqiu was standing just behind the door.
Tang Song instinctively glanced through the peephole, and a guess quickly formed in his mind.
Maybe Qiuqiu hadn’t gone to bed yet. She might’ve heard something and quietly walked over to the door.
His partner had told him that this aloof designer was actually quite timid.
Was she scared to be alone? Had a nightmare?
Tang Song pressed his lips together, then raised a hand and knocked.
Knock knock knock— the sound was deep and rhythmic.
No response.
Knock knock knock—
He knocked again. Still, there was no movement.
Except... the tag pulsed.
【Cultivating... 89%...】 (Not yet sprouted)
Seeing that, Tang Song’s eyes lit up slightly. He decided to just stand there, waiting quietly.
Then, the tag shifted—forward, backward, forward again, then back...
Back and forth, again and again.
Tang Song could almost feel Qiuqiu’s nervous hesitation from the other side of the door.
【Cultivating... 90%...】 (Not yet sprouted)
Still, she didn’t open the door. No response.
After a while, the tag slowly drifted away and vanished from his view.
Tang Song looked puzzled. He couldn’t figure out what Qiuqiu was thinking.
He stood there for a bit, then finally turned around and went back to his room.
After undressing, he took a quick shower and brushed his teeth.
Lying on the bed naked, Tang Song picked up his phone and checked the time—almost 11 p.m.
He turned off the main light, leaving just the night lamp on.
As he lay in bed, his thoughts drifted to his shy and sensitive partner, and a soft smile appeared on his face.
He vividly remembered the first time he met Gao Mengting.
The reason he chose her as his partner wasn’t just because of her looks—he had a good impression of her from the start.
He could still recall that moment after they signed the Wuling Hongguang’s “indenture contract,” when Gao Mengting leaned against the car’s A-pillar, biting her lower lip, tears streaming down her face.
And he remembered the words she said back then with such sincerity: “Mr. Tang, please take good care of her... The rear suspension is semi-spiral springs—it can only handle light cargo... If I wasn’t strapped for cash, I would’ve definitely bought it back myself...”
This idealistic girl had always been incredibly charming—and incredibly lovable.
He truly cherished this connection between them.
As those past moments flashed through his mind, Tang Song got hit with a wave of late-night “emo.” His thoughts wandered again.
The beautician, the big sister type, the fake socialite, the rich girl, the gold-class secretary...
One vivid figure after another flickered across his mind.
After a while, he picked up his phone and opened QQ.
He switched to his “April” alt account. Besides the fan group for 【Qingqing’s Always Hungry】, there was also an unread message from Zhang Yan.
The message had been sent that morning, around 9 a.m.
It was just one thing—a screenshot of a post generated by a signature app. A short essay, a few hundred words long.
Tang Song:
Early autumn in Yang City feels like a light-hearted folk tune. There’s still a lingering warmth from summer, yet a gentle coolness seeps in.
Today is September 23rd. Autumn equinox just passed, and day and night have finally reached a brief moment of balance. The city is still as busy as ever, and I, amid the chaos, am slowly finding a rhythm of my own.
...
Lately, life feels like a novel you’ve casually opened, full of unexpected plot twists. For example—I adopted a stray cat. Yes, you heard right. Me, someone who usually hates trouble, actually adopted a cat.
It’s a little orange-and-white one. I named him “Orange.”
The day I found him, it was raining. He was curled up under a roadside bush, soaked and shivering, his eyes wide and fearful. Just like I was when I first arrived in Yang City.
Orange is really timid. He always hides in corners. Only when I come home does he peek out quietly, those big round eyes watching me.
...
That’s life, I guess. Full of trivial things, yet somehow, they’re what make it interesting.
Hope everything’s good with you.
Zhang Yan
September 23, 2023 – Whispers of Yang City
Tang Song read it over and over. Zhang Yan’s words pulled his thoughts into that crisp early autumn in Yang City. The most update n0vels are published on novel·fiɾe·net
He saw that little cat named Orange, wandered through a secondhand bookstore in the old town, even tasted the mixed-grain porridge she made.
His heart gradually settled.
Lying on his bed, he didn’t even notice when he finally drifted off to sleep.
Sunday, September 24, 2023. Light rain turning cloudy. 15–23°C.
Lanfeng International Luxury Apartment.
In the early morning, thunder rumbled faintly outside. Raindrops tapped rhythmically against the glass.
Lin Muxue was already up. Her hair was pulled into a neat bun, and she wore light workout gear—looking refreshed and full of energy.
She brewed herself a cup of black coffee to shake off the drowsiness.
Smiling at herself in the mirror, she turned on her camera and started recording today’s vlog.
Workout. Skincare. A nutritious breakfast…
“These mixed nuts are from a brand I’ve been partnering with lately—taste great, and perfect for post-workout energy.”
In front of the camera, she was elegant and sexy, movements smooth and professional.
After delivering her ad lines, she continued eating her breakfast.
Once she finished, she sat down at her work desk, opened her MacBook and iPad, and began reading finance documents in English while jotting down notes in her notebook.
Her expression was focused. Sometimes she frowned in thought, other times a lightbulb seemed to go off, and she’d smile knowingly. She looked every bit the part of a corporate powerhouse.
More than half an hour later—
She turned off the camera, stretched lazily, and started editing the video.
These days, she had nearly a million followers on Douyin and 35,000 on Xiaohongshu. Definitely a major influencer. Even without livestreaming, her brand deals and ads pulled in over 40k a month.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed on the desk, interrupting her thoughts.
[Lin Tiantian]
Seeing the caller ID, Lin Muxue’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly answered, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.
“Hey! Good morning, Assistant Lin!”
During their last call, Lin Tiantian had mentioned she’d be in Yancheng over the weekend to help her organize documents for enrollment.
Looks like the wait was finally over!
“Good morning, Ms. Lin Muxue,” came the warm and professional voice of a young woman. “I’m currently in Yancheng. We’ll be meeting today. I’ve already sent you the checklist on WeChat, and later I’ll have a specialist assist you with…”
“Got it, thank you! Really appreciate it, Tiantian!”
“You’re welcome. That’s all for now. I’ll let you get back to it. Goodbye.”
“Bye!”
Hanging up, Lin Muxue let out a happy cheer, bouncing her legs excitedly, cheeks flushed with joy.
Soon after, Lin Tiantian sent over the documents—it was all stuff she’d already prepared, like her ID and her adult education graduation certificate.
Pacing back and forth in the living room, she reviewed some vocab words and made a quick trip to the bathroom.
She was still buzzing with excitement.
What a shame Tang Song wasn’t here. Otherwise, she would’ve dragged him along to visit the beautician and set up a spicy little 3-player match.
As if imagining the scene, Lin Muxue licked her lips and pulled the curtains shut.
Then, she climbed back into bed.
Even though Tang Song wasn’t around, thankfully she still knew a bit of water magic.
On a beautiful autumn morning like this, with the sound of rain outside... how could it not get a little romantic?
Soon, her phone screen lit up with a photo of Tang Song. She placed it beside her pillow.
Lying on her side, she stared at his photo.
Her hands began forming a complex magical sigil, and a low, muffled incantation drifted through the quiet room.
Her body began to move ever so slightly. Her pale skin gradually flushed, and her long legs curled up instinctively...
Moisture began to gather in the air, as if responding to her summons.
Lin Muxue’s face flushed a deep crimson, her gaze dazed, completely immersed in her magical world.
But right at that critical moment, her phone suddenly rang—sharply and intrusively.
The image of Tang Song vanished from her screen, replaced by the incoming call interface.
[Qianqian]
Gritting her teeth in frustration at the interruption, Lin Muxue picked up the call.
A nervous voice burst out on the other end—it was beautician Zhao Yaqian.
“Hello? Xiaoxue!”
“What’s wrong, babe?” Sensing something was off, Lin Muxue forcibly interrupted her spellcasting.
“She’s here! That woman—she’s here!”
“Huh? What are you talking about? Who?” Lin Muxue was still in a lusty haze and didn’t immediately process it.
“I mean Tang-ge’s official girlfriend! She’s in Yancheng now—and she’s meeting me at noon, at some private club.”
Lin Muxue’s eyes flew wide open. She shot up in bed. “What?! She’s here?!”
“Yeah. She just called. Xiaoxue, can you come with me, please? I’m... kind of scared.”
Lin Muxue’s pale chest heaved as she bit her lip and said firmly, “No problem. Don’t worry, Qianqian. With me there, nothing can go wrong!”
Zhao Yaqian let out a long breath of relief. “Thanks, Xiaoxue. Will you head over in a bit?”
“Yeah, give me a minute. Let me freshen up.”
“Okay, no rush. We’ve got time.”
After hanging up, Lin Muxue leaned back into the covers, panting hard, giving herself a little pep talk.
I, Xiaoxue, am also one of Tang Song’s women! His personal assistant! A specially trained asset!
The beautician is the trust’s beneficiary!
The two of them combined definitely carried some weight!
Even if you’re Su the Heavenly Emperor, don’t think you can bully us!
As her thoughts surged, so did her emotions again.
She glanced back at Tang Song’s image on her phone. The desire for spellcasting that had just been suppressed came back with an even fiercer intensity.
The chanting resumed.
At that moment, Lin Muxue reached the emotional peak.
So what if it’s Su Yu? Like I, Xiaoxue, haven’t seen big moments before?
And hey—who knows, we might even meet on the court someday.
When that happens, I’ll hit her with a full-blown water-element forbidden spell—and draw a whole f***ing map on her!
Hahaha~~~
Yanjing Tiancheng.
Knock knock— A crisp knock sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened softly as Lin Tiantian walked in quietly. Her tone respectful: “Director Jin, everything has been arranged for Lin Muxue.”
“Mm. Got it.” Secretary Jin didn’t even look up. She remained focused on the page in front of her, her voice lazy and indifferent.
She was at home, dressed very casually.
A loose white T-shirt hung off her frame, paired with simple shorts. On her feet were soft slippers, and her hair was tied into a messy bun, with a few loose strands hanging down lazily beside her ears.
She was slouched deep into the sofa, her long, pale legs crossed. Her entire presence exuded a quiet, refined elegance.
Lin Tiantian’s eyes briefly glazed over at the sight of Secretary Jin’s stunning beauty.
But the moment her gaze shifted down to the book in Jin’s hands, her body froze.
“How to Make a Man Addicted to You”And below that, in bold red letters: “Secrets of the Boudoir”
No way. No way! Secretary Jin... you read this kind of book?!
Is this real? Her whole vibe’s falling apart right now! Hello?!
Lin Tiantian struggled to keep her expression in check, pretending like she hadn’t seen anything.
Just as her imagination began spiraling, the smart speaker in the master bedroom suddenly chimed with a pleasant doorbell tone, snapping her back to reality.
She quickly glanced at the display screen and reported, “Director Jin, it’s the property staff.”
Secretary Jin lazily turned a page and responded flatly, “Go see what it is.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Lin Tiantian nodded and quickly left the room.
Two minutes later—
Hurried footsteps echoed back into the room.
Lin Tiantian jogged into the master bedroom, her face barely able to contain her excitement. “Director Jin, the property manager said it’s a gift from President Tang!”
“Oh?” Secretary Jin’s expression shifted ever so slightly. She swiftly rose from the sofa, her aura lighting up with unmistakable energy and a touch of barely concealed anticipation. “Where is it?”
“Since it’s a gift for you, I didn’t dare touch it. I had the staff leave it at the entryway,” Lin Tiantian said with a sweet, obedient smile.
She’d learned her lesson after the mess with President Tang’s 520 gift last time. Now that she was finally back at Secretary Jin’s side, she wasn’t taking any chances.
What if she accidentally damaged some petals or leaves—what then?
Secretary Jin paid no attention to Lin Tiantian’s overthinking. With a light spring in her step, she walked out.
Passing through the living room and hallway, she finally caught sight of what was waiting at the entryway—a bouquet of blooming roses.
Her steps gradually slowed. Her eyes fell on the flowers, and a deep, genuine joy flickered across her gaze.
Ninety-nine roses, each one carefully trimmed, arranged in elegant layers. The petals were full and vibrant, exuding a faint, sweet fragrance.
Her fingers gently brushed over the soft petals. Her fingertips trembled slightly, as if she were touching a precious treasure.
Next, her eyes landed on the delicate card nestled among the flowers.
She paused for a moment, reached out, picked up the card, and gently unfolded it.
“Roses are only romantic when given to you.Because of you, I am whole.”“I love you—irreplaceably.”
Her gaze lingered on the card for a long time, her fingertips softly stroking the handwriting, as if she could feel Tang Song’s warmth through the paper.
A smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of her lips. Her eyes seemed to daze slightly in the soft light.
Standing to the side, Lin Tiantian quietly observed Secretary Jin’s expression, a thousand thoughts surging in her heart.
After a while—
Secretary Jin carefully put the card away, then gently picked up the bouquet and lowered her head to inhale the fragrance.
Turning around, she spoke in a calm voice, “Find me a few vases—separate the flowers and arrange them.”
Lin Tiantian immediately nodded. “Yes, Director Jin. I’ll take care of it right away.”
“Wait,” Secretary Jin suddenly called after her.
Lin Tiantian stopped in her tracks. “Yes, Director Jin? Do you have another instruction?”
“Take a picture for me.” Secretary Jin reopened the card and tucked it back into the center of the bouquet.
“Got it!” Lin Tiantian swiftly pulled out her phone and opened the camera.
Click— the image was captured.
Secretary Jin, holding a bouquet of ninety-nine roses, wore a smile that could make hearts melt.
“Send me the photo,” she said softly, then turned and walked toward the bedroom with light, cheerful steps—her whole silhouette glowing with a rare sense of delight.
Lin Tiantian glanced down at the photo on her phone and suddenly understood what it meant.
Love really is a magical thing. It could even make Director Jin look like this...!
Wushan, Shanhaiguan Scenic Area.
The ancient city wall of grey bricks stretched endlessly, winding like a dragon asleep for a thousand years.
Tang Song stood beneath the gate tower inscribed with the bold characters “The First Pass Under Heaven.”Looking up at the powerful calligraphy, he felt a surge of indescribable awe.
Just then—
Whoosh! A system light screen suddenly unfolded in front of him.
[September 24, 2023]Due to your indirect actions, characters Su Yu and Secretary Jin have entered a heated conflict.Su Yu is now experiencing severe emotional turmoil and self-doubt.
You have completed the hidden quest: “Emotionally Unstable Su Yu.”Reward: Special Item – Su Yu’s Emotional Fragment
Item: [Su Yu’s Emotional Fragment]Description: When used, this item will trigger a character-specific interaction quest designed to help stabilize the character’s emotional state and increase their affection level.Successfully completing the task will grant you a skill or item related to that character.
Note: This interaction will have real-world effects on the in-game character. Please proceed with caution.
Tang Song’s brow twitched hard, and the corner of his mouth involuntarily twitched.
All I did was send some roses—how the h*ck did this turn into such a big deal?
Heated conflict? Self-doubt? Seriously?
What the h*ll did Secretary Jin do to Su Yu?