novelraw Chapter 492: Black Suit, Sprouting
Chapter 492: Black Suit, Sprouting
Wushan, Shangri-La Hotel.
By dusk, the sky and sea were bathed in a golden-red hue by the setting sun, weaving into a magnificent tapestry.
Tang Song sat in a single-seater sofa, gazing at his phone screen, fingers gently brushing his forehead.
It had been half a day since Su Yu’s clarification statement was posted. Though public opinion had been guided and was gradually cooling down, the #JinSuCP tag was still dominating the hot search rankings.
In the comment sections, gossip-hungry netizens were using magnifying glasses to dissect every frame of the two being photographed together.
Some even photoshopped wedding pictures, garnering tens of thousands of likes.
In truth, this post from Su Yu had a massive impact.
As a national goddess and top-tier celebrity, Su Yu had maintained a pristine image since her debut—zero scandals, no intimate scenes—which fans often praised and speculated over. Many even believed she was lesbian.
So when the news of her "close relationship" with Jin Meixiao broke out, the public reaction and wild imagination it stirred were off the charts.
Looking at the comments and fantasies online, Tang Song’s expression turned a little strange. His mind couldn’t help but conjure up images of these two stunning, yet contrasting beauties together… it was, admittedly, a pleasant visual.
The more he imagined it, the more excited he got.
Of course, if he joined in—well, that’d be perfect.
Knock knock knock——
A knock on the door pulled him out of his daydream.
Immediately after, a soft voice sounded from outside.
“President Tang.”
Snapping back to reality, Tang Song opened the door—and two figures appeared in the hallway.
On the left stood his business partner: light makeup, delicate and gentle features, tall and elegant posture, voluminous brown hair with a slightly fluffy texture—somewhat reminiscent of Secretary Jin.
On the right was the designer: cold and striking looks, softly curled orange-brown hair, a curvy figure with a full chest, slim waist, long legs, and perky hips—the classic comic book physique. She even looked a little like Su Yu.
The two stood hand-in-hand under the warm hallway lights, so close that for a split second, Tang Song felt like his fantasy had materialized in real life.
“Ahem—” A light cough broke the moment as Gao Mengting teased,“President Tang, staring at us like that—isn’t that a bit rude?”
Tang Song didn’t look the least bit embarrassed and smiled.“Hey, it’s not my fault you two look like walking distractions.”
“Pfft—” Gao Mengting gave him a playful smack on the chest. “At least you’ve got taste, haha.”
Beside her, Qiuqiu kept her gaze down, looking a little uneasy.
Tang Song glanced at the top of her head and sighed internally.
[In cultivation... 97%... (Not yet sprouted)]
Ever since Su Yu’s headline dropped, this designer friend had gone full-blown gossip mode—not a single ounce of negative emotion in sight.
That caused the cultivation progress to come to a complete halt.
And judging by her state, she’d probably be caught up in the JinSu CP whirlwind for at least another two days.
“All right, Qiuqiu and I are heading out. He Yi and the others will be here the day after tomorrow. I’ll try to wrap this up as soon as I can.”
“Need me to come with you?”
“No need. I’ll stay in Wushan after the team event anyway—so I’ll handle the initial contact. Besides, it’s a good chance to get to know them better.” Gao Mengting’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Who knows, maybe we’ll even run into Bei Yuwei while they’re filming. The traffic boost would be insane.”
“Alright. Appreciate the hard work—remind me to send you both a bonus.”
“We’ll be waiting then. Bye~”
“Take care on the road.”
Cheng Qiuqiu looked up and waved gently at Tang Song before turning to follow Gao Mengting toward the elevators.
The taxi cruised along the smooth coastal highway.
Cool sea breeze streamed in through the half-open windows, tousling their hair.
Gao Mengting glanced over at her younger schoolmate, who was busily tapping away on her phone while chuckling, and couldn’t help but tease,“Qiuqiu, don’t tell me you actually have a thing for girls? The way you reacted to all that Jin Meixiao and Su Yu drama—it was like you were about to explode. Are you trying to become one of Su Yu’s women?”
Cheng Qiuqiu’s cheeks turned slightly red. “No! I’m just... joining the fun. Honestly, this is a great exposure opportunity for Su Yu.”
She’d admired Su Yu for years—idolized her to the point of spiritual obsession.
She wanted nothing more than for Su Yu to have it all—career, love, everything.
Because of physical and psychological reasons, Qiuqiu was somewhat asexual. She rarely had fantasies about men.
She used to wonder what kind of guy would be worthy of her idol—but never found a convincing answer.
Having lurked in fan forums for years, she knew the entertainment industry was a mess. Most male stars had all kinds of scandals.
None of them deserved someone as perfect as Su Yu.
So seeing her paired with Chairwoman Jin now—it honestly made her kind of happy.
As for Su Yu’s clarification statement... well, as a hardcore fan, Qiuqiu found it pretty vague.
Su Yu was proud and confident. She never stooped to cheap hype and certainly wouldn’t drag her personal life out for public entertainment.
The fact that she would voluntarily post something hinting at a close relationship with Jin Meixiao said enough—their connection was definitely not ordinary.
As a fan of Su Yu’s career, Cheng Qiuqiu sincerely hoped her idol would keep rising, becoming the most dazzling star in the world.
The two chatted casually with the wind blowing in. The atmosphere was light and easy.
Until suddenly, Gao Mengting’s face changed. She furrowed her brows.
“Ahh f***…”
Cheng Qiuqiu instantly noticed something was off and asked urgently,“What’s wrong, Senior?”
“It’s not a big deal—my period just came early,” Gao Mengting said with a bitter smile, her voice tinged with helplessness. “My body’s sensitive. A change in environment or seasonal shift and boom—hormones go haywire.”
Back in Yancheng, it had still been blazing summer.
Now suddenly down by the sea in Wushan, her body had been feeling off for a few days—and this surprise period was the final straw.
“What should we do then?” Qiuqiu thought for a moment, concerned. “Want me to go alone? You can head back to the hotel or home to rest.”
Gao Mengting squeezed her thighs together, speaking softly, “No no, I’ll be fine. I’ll stop to grab some pads when we get off.”
“Okay then…” Qiuqiu wasn’t the type to argue and was used to following her senior’s lead.
The car windows rolled up, and the interior fell silent again.
It was rush hour, so traffic moved in fits and starts. Luckily, the surrounding scenery was lovely.
By the time they reached downtown—
Gao Mengting was clutching her lower abdomen, her face pale, soft moans escaping her lips.
“Senior, are you okay? Does it hurt?”
She let out a long breath and gritted her teeth. “It’s my fault… I ate too much junk these past two days—seafood, cold drinks, and then catching wind outside. Now I’ve got cramps.”
“Then… maybe I shouldn’t go either. Let’s just head back.”
“No, no—business first.” Gao Mengting waved her hand, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. “How about this: I’ll call President Tang and have him go with you instead. I’m in no state to be social.”
This meeting was meant to discuss collaboration anyway. As a regular designer, Qiuqiu didn’t carry much weight on her own.
Among everyone on the team, only she and Tang Song were suitable for something like this.
And given Qiuqiu’s quiet personality and lack of familiarity with the rest of the team, attending this kind of private gathering alone would be pretty awkward.
Hearing that Tang Song would be accompanying her, Qiuqiu’s heart skipped a beat. She hesitated, then softly said,
“Senior, I can actually go by myself…”
“No way, I don’t feel comfortable with that!” Gao Mengting shook her head. “Wushan can be a little sketchy at night. You’re a gorgeous girl going out for drinks alone—that’s risky.”
Before Qiuqiu could respond, Gao Mengting had already taken out her phone and called Tang Song.
The phone rang a few times before it was finally answered.
“Hello? President Tang, you’re not busy, right?”
“I’m not feeling too well and can’t go with Qiuqiu. Could you go in my place and keep an eye on her?”
“Great, I’ll send you the location. Thanks!”
After hanging up, Gao Mengting let out a breath and turned to explain to Cheng Qiuqiu,
“President Tang just got out of the shower. He’ll come meet you after he’s ready. My place is only two or three kilometers away, so I’ll just head home and rest.”
“Okay, Senior.”
Gao Mengting patted her thigh and called out to the driver,
“Driver, turn left up ahead—stop at Huaxing Garden, I’ll get off there.”
“You got it.”
Soon, the taxi flicked its right turn signal and came to a stop outside the south gate of Huaxing Garden.
Gao Mengting stepped out and waved goodbye,
“Qiuqiu, call me if anything comes up. Bye!”
“Bye, Senior. Take care and rest well.”
Watching her senior’s figure disappear into the community, Cheng Qiuqiu leaned against the car window, dazed, her mind a bit of a mess.
Xinghai Music Lounge was a high-end seaside entertainment venue, boasting sleek modern architecture.
Located by the Dongshan Beach, the area was scenic, and the lounge offered a full-service experience: food, drinks, entertainment all in one.
The first floor had a bar-like vibe with a stage, booths, and a bar counter.
The second and third floors housed themed private rooms for karaoke, private dining, murder mystery games, and more.
About ten minutes later, the taxi rolled to a smooth stop at the entrance.
After paying the fare, Qiuqiu stepped out and opened WeChat, clicking into her chat with Tang Song.
Staring at the conversation thread, she nervously fiddled with her phone, hesitated for a while, and ultimately didn’t send her location.
Senior had already sent it anyway. If she sent it again, it might come off as too eager… and easily misunderstood.
Biting her lip, Qiuqiu walked toward the entrance.
Passing through the glass doors, soft music floated out, and the air carried a mix of scents.
A server in uniform quickly approached with a polite smile.
“Hello, miss. Do you have a reservation?”
“Room 308.”
“Great, this way please.”
The server led her through the main hall and straight up to the third floor.
When the heavy soundproof door opened, a wave of music hit her.
Inside, the room was tastefully decorated and cozy. Large sofas encircled a coffee table stacked with dishes and drinks.
On the center sofa, three people—two men and one woman—were chatting and laughing.
“Qiuqiu! You finally showed up!” Xu An jumped up and rushed over.
Qiuqiu gave him a faint smile and a small wave.
“Xu An, long time no see.”
He had matured quite a bit since they last met. Dressed in a full Versace leisure outfit, tall and lean, his sharp features had a bit of a celebrity glow—confident and striking.
Back in high school, she hadn’t had many friends. Xu An was one of the few, also an arts student and a fellow hardcore Su Yu fan.
He used to strum and sing Su Yu’s songs at school events, and that’s how she got to know him.
Later, Xu An went on to attend the Shanghai Drama Academy, signed with an entertainment company, landed a supporting role in a historical drama, and even released an album. Now, he was a proper rising star.
Seeing a friend doing so well made Qiuqiu genuinely happy for him.
“Come, have a seat. Let me introduce you to a couple of friends.” As he spoke, Xu An naturally reached out, trying to take her wrist.
Qiuqiu smoothly sidestepped, lifting her bag to her arm and dodging the move.
Xu An’s brows twitched, an awkward flicker in his eyes, but he quickly masked it.
The two walked into the sofa area of the private room.
A man and a woman stood up to greet them.
The man looked about twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in all black, with defined features and a slightly lazy gaze—but there was an undeniable aura about him.
The girl looked younger, probably under twenty, clearly still a student. But her outfit was extremely revealing—a tiny tank top with hot pants. Her pure-looking face was caked in heavy makeup.
Xu An chuckled and gave the man a friendly slap. “This is Qin Fengyu, the senior I mentioned—he’s also signed with our company and came to Wushan with me for filming. Brother Yu, this is my high school classmate, Cheng Qiuqiu. Pretty, right? Haha.”
Qin Fengyu raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Very pretty. Nice to meet you, Qiuqiu.”
“Nice to meet you, Brother Yu.” Qiuqiu nodded politely, a bit stiff.
The subtle way Qin Fengyu was sizing her up made her uncomfortable.
She’d always had a natural resistance to unfamiliar men.
But this wasn’t just a casual hangout—there was a company assignment involved too.
Xu An had told her that Qin Fengyu wasn’t just a signed artist. His father was a shareholder in Qianmo Media.
And Qianmo Media was one of the co-producers of Snowy Night Dawn, which was how Xu An and his group got cast in supporting roles.
Qin Fengyu also had strong industry connections and was friends with an external producer.
With his help, it’d be easier to get livestream access or behind-the-scenes video footage from the set.
Xu An then pointed to the girl beside Qin Fengyu.
“This is Shanshan, a local friend of Brother Yu’s.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Qiuqiu.”
After a few quick pleasantries, everyone settled onto the sofas.
Qiuqiu glanced around. The private room was spacious, and the southeast wall was a massive floor-to-ceiling window.
Through the glass, you could clearly see the city at dusk.
Neon lights shimmered across the water, sparkling like a dream.
“What do you want to drink?” Xu An turned toward Qiuqiu, his expression warm as he admired her delicate features.
“Beer’s fine.”
“OK.” Xu An casually opened a bottle of Wusu and handed it over.
“Didn’t you say your senior was coming too? She’s not here yet?”
“She had something come up. But another boss from our company is on his way. You’ve met him before.”
“Oh? Who is it?”
“Tang Song.”
The name made Xu An freeze. “Tang Song? You mean the guy we ran into at the Marriott in Shanghai?”
“Yeah, same one. He and Senior Mengting are both our company’s owners.”
Xu An’s brow twitched, and his expression soured slightly.
He remembered that guy all too well.
Especially that last encounter—when Tang Song had blatantly wrapped his hand around Lin Muxue’s waist. That scene had stung.
Still, Lin Muxue was just a fleeting fling for him back then. He was only after her body, really. Once it ended, he got over it quickly.
But Cheng Qiuqiu was different. To Xu An, this old high school classmate—his white moonlight—was someone he was determined to win over.
Bringing Qin Fengyu along tonight under the guise of networking was really just an excuse. What he actually wanted was to show off his connections and clout.
Who would’ve thought that guy would turn out to be Qiuqiu’s boss too? The dude just kept popping up like a lingering ghost.
“I say, you two old classmates are hogging the convo. Come on, let’s drink!”
Qin Fengyu’s slightly lazy voice rang out as he wrapped his arm around Shanshan’s waist and raised his glass toward them.
Xu An quickly pulled his emotions in check and smiled as he raised his glass.
“Alright, alright, cheers!” Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel•fire.net
Clink—clink—
The crisp sound of glass hitting glass echoed as the cold alcohol slid down their throats.
Qin Fengyu glanced at the Wusu beer in Qiuqiu’s hand and slid an open bottle of whiskey toward her.
“Come on, don’t just stick with beer. Try this—Glenfarclas 18 Year. It’s got notes of butter toffee, almonds, and dried fruit. Girls usually love it.”
Seeing the gleaming bottle and the faintly playful glint in his eyes, Qiuqiu immediately felt uneasy.
“Thanks, but I’m good with beer,” she replied coolly, her voice distant.
Qin Fengyu smirked, “No need to be so reserved. It’s a friends’ get-together, right? Let loose a little. What, can’t even give me that much face?”
Xu An’s brows furrowed slightly, but he forced a smile to smooth things over.
“Qiuqiu’s not a heavy drinker. She’s not used to strong liquor like this. How about just a small taste? It’s really good stuff.”
He knew Qin Fengyu’s personality—wild and cocky, but with a certain code of conduct.
Most of the women he hooked up with were chasing after his money or resources.
If a girl wasn’t into him, he usually didn’t push it.
But Qiuqiu’s cool and aloof vibe clearly poked at his “need to conquer.” He wanted to break through her defenses and make her yield.
Xu An had seen this type of situation before in the industry.
Give a little face, play along, maybe even benefit from it down the road.
That’s how he got on good terms with Qin Fengyu in the first place—landing the side role in Snowy Night Dawn was one of the perks.
Qiuqiu gripped the beer bottle tightly, silent for a beat, then finally nodded.
“Alright.”
Xu An breathed a sigh of relief and poured her about half a glass.
Qiuqiu picked up the whiskey, took a small sip, then set it back down.
The burn of the liquor flared down her throat, but her expression stayed calm—if anything, her gaze grew colder.
Trying to steer the mood, Xu An asked,
“By the way, did you see the news about Su Yu and Director Jin?”
The moment Su Yu’s name came up, Qiuqiu’s expression softened, becoming more animated.
“Yeah, I saw. Is it real?”
“No clue. Nothing’s really going around in the inner circles,” Xu An replied.
As soon as celebrity gossip was mentioned, even Qin Fengyu and Shanshan joined the convo.
Soon enough, under their pushing, the group began singing karaoke.
The mood warmed up.
“Come on, Qiuqiu! Next one’s Su Yu’s song—your favorite.” Xu An grinned as he passed her the mic.
“Thanks.”
A beautiful instrumental intro filled the room, followed by Qiuqiu’s soft, melodic voice.
🎵 In the quiet of the night, I hear your name… 🎵
It was “Love Of Song”, one of Su Yu’s all-English classics—and Qiuqiu’s all-time favorite.
She held the mic gently, swaying slightly to the rhythm.
For some reason, Tang Song’s image kept popping into her head.
Those black-and-white eyes, his perfect smile, the way he occasionally gave that mischievous glance—her heartbeat started racing.
In the song, Su Yu likened “song” to a person named “Song,” using the metaphor to express her deep love for music.
But in this moment, Qiuqiu suddenly felt like she was singing about Tang Song himself.
As she got lost in the emotions, her singing became more and more captivating.
When the song ended, applause and cheers filled the room.
Qin Fengyu leaned forward, studying her elegant features with interest.
“Qiuqiu, you’ve really got potential. You’ve got the looks, the voice—the full package.”
He grinned, voice full of confidence.
“You even kind of remind me of Su Yu. In both looks and tone. I heard from Xu An you’re a designer? We’re planning to expand our music division at Qianmo Media. Why not sign with us? We’ll give you a deal you can’t refuse.”
His voice was magnetic, assertive, and left little room for rejection.
Qiuqiu pressed her lips together, her voice still cool,
“Thanks for the offer, Brother Yu, but I’m not interested in the entertainment industry. I really like my current job and don’t plan on changing.”
“Heh, but earlier you were diving right into Su Yu’s gossip—you clearly follow the scene.” Qin Fengyu sipped his drink, his eyes turning sharper.
“The industry might be tough, but with someone guiding you, your path can be smooth. Look at Xu An—he started as a rookie, and now he’s doing pretty well.”
Xu An’s smile froze for a second.
He was starting to regret bringing Qin Fengyu along.
Sure, Qin was well-connected and had pull, but if he had truly taken a liking to Qiuqiu—whether for her looks or her potential—things might get out of hand.
Qiuqiu had a bit of that Su Yu aura to her.
If it weren’t for her aloof personality, she’d probably do great in the industry.
Qiuqiu clenched her beer glass, fingers tightening slightly.
“Sorry, I just don’t think I’m suited for that world.”
Qin Fengyu’s smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.
“Alright, if that’s how you feel, I won’t push. But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me.”
Next to him, Shanshan’s eyes flashed with jealousy. She draped herself over Qin’s arm and purred,
“Brother Yu, if Qiuqiu doesn’t want to, how about giving me a shot? I’ve got formal training, good acting, decent voice~”
Her sugary voice dragged out the last syllables, but her gaze flicked sharply toward Qiuqiu with a hint of warning.
“Heh.” Qin’s hand slid under her top, giving her a squeeze.
“We’ll see how you perform. Coincidentally, Snowy Night Dawn still needs some featured extras. I’ll see about getting you in.”
Shanshan’s eyes lit up, snuggling into his chest with a flirtatious smile.
She knew this was just Qin showing off in front of Qiuqiu—and she was more than happy to play along.
After all, she had approached him to find a way into the industry anyway.
The increasingly suggestive flirting made Qiuqiu shift uncomfortably, inching subtly toward the edge of the couch.
“Alright, alright! Qiuqiu, let’s do a duet!” Xu An quickly picked up the mic, trying to break the tension.
“Let me show off what I learned from vocal training in Shanghai…”
Before he could finish, Qiuqiu’s phone on the table started buzzing loudly.
The screen lit up with a name:
【Tang Song】
Seeing it, Xu An’s eyes flickered, and his brow twitched.
Qiuqiu quickly grabbed her phone and answered, her voice unconsciously softening.
“Hello, President Tang.”
“Yeah, I’m at Room 308.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
After hanging up, her tense shoulders visibly relaxed, as if she had found solid ground to stand on.
Qin Fengyu raised an eyebrow, swirling the ice in his glass.
“Heh, which of your company bosses is making a personal appearance?”
“Mm.” Cheng Qiuqiu nodded silently.
Just then, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.
Everyone instinctively turned to look.
A tall, handsome figure walked in.
Casual shirt paired with tailored trousers—simple, clean, yet full of elegance.
Under the warm light, his features were sharp and refined.
There was a faint smile on his face, his collar slightly open, exuding a blend of effortless class and distant reserve.
The girl curled up against Qin Fengyu, Shanshan, instantly flushed. Her eyes shimmered flirtatiously.
“Sorry, I’m a little late.”
His voice was clear and magnetic, his eyes sweeping calmly across the room before finally landing on Cheng Qiuqiu.
【Nurturing in progress… 98%…】(Not yet sprouted)
Tang Song’s gaze paused slightly. The progress had actually increased by 1%.
Clearly, something unpleasant had happened here.
Cheng Qiuqiu stood up and looked straight at him. “President Tang.”
Tang Song walked over to her side, his tone gentle. “You okay, Qiuqiu?”
“I-I’m fine.”
Feeling his scent up close, her expression turned a little awkward.
“President Tang, come sit. Let me introduce you.”
Tang Song’s lips curved slightly as he turned to Xu An. “Long time no see.”
When Gao Mengting had mentioned the artist friend Qiuqiu knew, he’d already guessed it was Xu An—an old acquaintance.
Xu An took a breath, stood up, and said in a low voice, “Long time no see, Tang Song.”
For some reason, he felt Tang Song had changed a lot since their last meeting.
It wasn’t just the appearance—more importantly, it was his aura.
There was now a faint pressure, like the presence of a true industry heavyweight.
“This must be Qiuqiu’s boss?” Qin Fengyu was still lounging on the sofa, eyes filled with curiosity.
“Come, have a drink with us.”
Cheng Qiuqiu quietly introduced, “President Tang, this is Qin Fengyu—the friend that Xu An and the external producer know.”
“Hello.”
Tang Song gave a small nod and naturally sat down beside Qiuqiu, calmly scanning the room.
His every movement was elegant and composed, effortlessly drawing attention.
Qin Fengyu’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing through.
What’s with this guy? Just a small-time livestream company boss, acting like he owns the place.
He released Shanshan and leaned forward.
“Alright then, now that everyone’s here, let’s do another round!”
“Cheers!” Xu An quickly followed, raising his glass.
As drinks clinked, the atmosphere picked up again.
With Xu An and Qin Fengyu in sync, the conversation revolved around entertainment gossip, behind-the-scenes tricks of popular variety shows, and unspoken industry rules.
Being the son of a major shareholder at Qianmo Media, Qin Fengyu had extensive insider knowledge and connections.
He talked with confidence and flair.
Tang Song sat quietly, occasionally raising a glass in polite response.
But with his sharp social awareness, he could tell—these two were deliberately bringing up topics he likely wasn’t familiar with, trying to isolate him and show off their superiority.
He didn’t mind. Instead, he turned his attention to the food.
To be fair, the dishes at this music lounge were surprisingly good.
Especially the seafood—delicious.
“Try this. It’s really good.”
Tang Song picked up a piece of lobster coated in sauce and placed it on Qiuqiu’s plate.
“Thank you.”
Under the dim lighting, a soft blush crept up Qiuqiu’s cheeks.
Tang Song chuckled, “Don’t mention it. Try this one too—it’s not bad either.”
“Mm.”
Qiuqiu lowered her head in response, but her heart began to race uncontrollably.
Noticing the growing disconnect between Tang Song and Qiuqiu and the rest of the group, the other three slowly quieted down.
The atmosphere shifted from relaxed to faintly tense, as if some invisible pressure filled the air.
Qin Fengyu released Shanshan and said, “President Tang, I heard your company does livestream e-commerce?”
“Yeah, mostly fashion, based in Yancheng.”
“Nice.”
Qin Fengyu smiled.
“So you’re hoping to get your livestream team onto the set of Snowy Night Dawn, right?”
“Mm, just need a permit. If we go through the formal channels, it might not make the deadline.”
Tang Song nodded calmly and set down his chopsticks.
After all, this connection was something Qiuqiu and Gao Mengting had arranged.
There was no personal conflict here, and he still had his manners.
But Qin Fengyu didn’t respond right away.
Instead, he deftly opened a bottle of vodka, filling three empty shot glasses.
Then he mixed in whiskey and sparkling wine until all three glasses were full.
With a playful smirk, he said,
“Fate brought us together, and I really want to be friends with you, President Tang. Here’s a little something I mixed up. If you drink these three shots, I’ll help you with the permit—and make sure everything goes perfectly.”
As soon as he spoke, the entire room fell silent.
Xu An’s eyes showed a trace of schadenfreude.
Qiuqiu’s heart skipped a beat, her expression full of worry as she looked toward Tang Song.
“Heh.” Tang Song chuckled lightly, his gaze turning suddenly sharp and cold.
“You’ve got quite a unique way of making friends.”
“Come on, don’t take it so seriously,” Qin Fengyu said innocently, crossing his legs.
“This is just how we make friends in our circle, haha.”
“Is that so?”
Tang Song slowly adjusted his cuffs and placed a full bottle of vodka onto the table.
He smiled faintly.
“Interesting rule. I’m happy to follow it. You drink this bottle, and I’ll call you a friend.”
Qin Fengyu’s expression darkened instantly.
To him, Tang Song was the one asking for help. He just wanted to flex a little and feel superior.
Those three shots? Just a small show of dominance.
He never expected Tang Song to flip the script so bluntly—offering no face at all.
700ML of vodka?
That was a declaration of war.
Qiuqiu watched the silent standoff, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, unsure what to say or do.
She looked pleadingly at Xu An.
But Xu An just looked down at his glass and said nothing.
The air in the room thickened.
Tang Song, however, remained utterly composed, still watching Qin Fengyu with that calm, almost indifferent gaze.
Because this involved his Growth Plan mission, he couldn’t just cheat his way through it.
Otherwise, he could’ve easily pulled strings—had Bei Yuwei show up in a livestream, maybe even ask Su Yu herself to join in.
But that would likely derail the mission completely.
He didn’t want complications, which was why he accepted Qiuqiu and Gao Mengting’s arrangement.
Still, that didn’t mean he’d tolerate being strong-armed.
He was still young—and at the peak of his drive and confidence.
Naturally, his pride wouldn't allow it.
Besides, considering his background and status, letting Qin Fengyu “become friends” with him was already a privilege.
Qin Fengyu’s smug posture faltered, and the smile disappeared from his face.
Just as he was about to say something—
BANG!
The door to the private room was suddenly kicked open.
Seven or eight men stormed in.
Leading them was a man around thirty, dressed in a leather jacket, with fury and menace burning in his eyes.
The sudden intrusion made everyone jump in fright.
Cheng Qiuqiu instinctively clutched Tang Song’s arm, her body trembling slightly.
Sensing her fear, Tang Song’s brows twitched subtly. He wrapped his arm around her slim waist, applying a gentle but reassuring pressure.
At that moment, Shanshan suddenly shrieked, her face going pale as she jumped to her feet.
“Z-Zheng… Zheng-ge, what are you—”
“Shut the f**k up!” Zheng-ge snarled, cutting her off with a glare. “Li Shanshan, didn’t you say you were getting a facial? Even asked me to send you money! And now what? You’re here cheating on me? You b**ch!”
Realization dawned on everyone in the room.
Seeing the group of angry men, Qin Fengyu’s face went ghostly white.
He had met Shanshan outside the film base—she’d approached him first. Young, pretty, a college student from an arts school… he hadn’t thought twice before hooking up.
“Let me explain... he—he’s an actor. I just wanted to visit the set and asked him to help me out. We’re just friends, nothing more—” Shanshan tried to explain.
But Zheng-ge yanked her by the hair and snarled, “You think I’m a f***ing idiot?!”
Then, with fire in his eyes, he turned toward Qin Fengyu, murderous intent written all over his face.
Qin Fengyu backed away a bit, forcing a smile. “Bro, this is all a misunderstanding. No need to get violent…”
“F*** your misunderstanding! I’ve got pictures! Wanna see them?”
SMACK!
The sharp slap rang through the room as Zheng-ge struck him across the face, sending his head whipping to the side.
His cheek instantly swelled, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Realizing things were spiraling, Tang Song pulled out his phone and quickly dialed Liu Jiayi.
He didn’t say anything—just waited two seconds before ending the call.
Then he pulled Qiuqiu closer, voice low and steady, “It’s alright. Don’t be afraid.”
This girl might look aloof on the outside, but just like Gao Mengting said—her courage was paper-thin.
He glanced subtly at the invisible display above her head:
[Nurturing in Progress… 99%... (Not Yet Sprouted)]
Hearing his calm and reassuring voice, Cheng Qiuqiu finally snapped out of her panic.
It was only then she realized she was pressed tightly against his chest, clearly feeling the warmth of his body beneath the shirt.
A shiver ran down her spine, tingling up to her head, her heart racing wildly.
The whole thing felt like a surreal dream—her breath came quick and shallow.
“Xu An, call someone!” Qin Fengyu suddenly shouted from where he’d shrunk into the corner, his voice a mix of panic and fury.
SMACK!
Another slap cracked through the air, making everyone flinch.
Zheng-ge’s men closed in with cold stares, surrounding Xu An, Tang Song, and Cheng Qiuqiu.
Xu An was frozen, his mind blank, legs trembling.
He was just a recent graduate. Sure, he’d made it into the entertainment industry—but he was barely a D-list actor. He’d never seen anything like this.
Qin Fengyu, holding his stinging face, gritted his teeth. “Bro, we can talk this out, alright? I didn’t know she had a boyfriend…”
“Fk you! You f*ed my girlfriend, and you think a few words can settle this? You better give me an explanation, or I’ll end you!”
With a roar, Zheng-ge grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured it over Qin Fengyu’s head.
SPLASH—
Liquor soaked his hair and shirt, leaving him drenched and humiliated.
Zheng-ge gave a chilling laugh, then kicked him hard behind the knee. Qin Fengyu dropped with a thud, kneeling on the floor.
Zheng-ge pressed the empty bottle against his temple and growled, “Aren’t you an actor? Want me to plaster your face all over the internet? See how long your career lasts?”
One of his lackeys pulled out a phone, the flash flickering as they took picture after picture of Qin Fengyu's disgrace.
Everything was happening so fast, Cheng Qiuqiu was trembling with fear.
She peeked up at Tang Song—and saw his face was still completely calm, like a deep lake.
For some reason, that calmness filled her with a strange sense of security.
With him around, nothing seemed scary anymore.
Qin Fengyu, now a total wreck, begged, “W-what do you want? I can pay you!”
Zheng-ge dropped the bottle with a clang, standing over him with contempt in his eyes.
The tension in the room reached a suffocating peak.
Then—
CLACK—
The heavy sound of the door opening again cut through the silence.
A wave of black surged into the room, and everyone froze.
The chaos vanished instantly. Silence blanketed the room like a sheet of ice.
Standing just outside the door was a group of large men in black suits and slacks.
Built like tanks, standing in perfect formation, earpieces glowing red—they were clearly highly trained.
A killing aura swept through the air, so thick it was hard to breathe.
“Ah—”
Zheng-ge’s hand trembled, and the bottle slipped from his fingers, clattering under the table.
His thugs, who’d been so aggressive a moment ago, panicked and scuttled to the corners of the room.
Cheng Qiuqiu let out a soft gasp, instinctively shrinking back and pressing against Tang Song’s chest.
Her trembling hands gripped his arm tight, heartbeat thundering in her ears.
Qin Fengyu looked like he’d just seen salvation. He scrambled up and shouted, “Security! They’re extorting and threatening us—help!”
But no one answered him.
Then—
A tall, powerful figure strode into the room.
She wore black leather heels and stood nearly 180cm tall.
Her long hair was tied in a simple ponytail.
A sharply tailored black suit, white shirt underneath—elegant and fierce.
Her face was cool and androgynously beautiful. Straight nose, balanced lips, not a trace of emotion—but she radiated pure pressure.
Behind her, four more suited bodyguards marched in formation. Their eyes were razor sharp, their expressions unreadable.
The hard soles of their shoes echoed—clack, clack, clack—as they stepped inside.
Under everyone’s stunned gaze, the woman walked straight to Tang Song and gave a slight bow.
Her voice was deep, steady, and full of deference.
“President Tang.”
Just two words—but it hit like a hammer.
The room exploded with a rush of complex emotions: shock, fear, awe, confusion…
All eyes turned to Tang Song.
Then—
Ding!
A crisp system chime echoed in his ears:
Congratulations, Player. [Dreamseed Bloom] has sprouted.
Tang Song gave a slight nod and stood up, arm still around Qiuqiu’s waist.
His voice calm, as if nothing had happened:
“Come on, Qiuqiu. Let’s find a quieter place to eat.”