novelraw Chapter 517: Eat on Time
Chapter 517: Eat on Time
January 1st, 2017, Yancheng.
Yancheng University of Technology.
Tang Song had just returned to the dorm when he noticed an unusually hyped-up atmosphere.
Several roommates were huddled around a computer, eyes wide like copper bells, each of them breathing heavily.
Even Li Zhixi, who was currently deep in a round of King of Glory, was leaning over while trash-talking his teammates and glancing at the monitor.
Curious, Tang Song walked a few steps closer, and his gaze fell onto the photo displayed on Luo Qiliang’s screen.
In that instant, his breath caught slightly.
What entered his view was an absolutely stunning face that could shake a nation.
Her features were delicately beautiful like a painting, her eyes and brows carried an aloof and ethereal quality, as if untouched by the mundane world.
She wore a loose white shirt, the hem hanging down to her thighs, revealing slender and long legs, paired with faintly visible black stockings. She leaned against a vintage wooden bookshelf, holding a thick book in her hands.This unique blend of serenity and sensuality, coupled with that frosty expression, created a breath-stealing contrast.
The dorm was instantly filled with sounds of sharp intakes of breath and gulps, the air thick with an indescribable hormonal tension.
Tang Song’s heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively asked in a low voice, “Who’s that? She’s gorgeous.”
“Dmn, Lao Song, have you been living under a rock?” Lv Kai was the first to react, turning to him with a look like he was seeing an alien. “You seriously don’t know Su Yu from the Echo girl group? She’s been blowing up this past year!”
“Yeah, she’s trended multiple times just based on her looks. How could you not recognize that face?”
“Come on, don’t roast him. Lao Song’s usually like a phantom—never around. He’s always out working part-time. Doesn’t follow entertainment news. Maybe he really doesn’t know Su Yu.”
Tang Song paused, quickly searching his memory for anything about “Echo girl group.”
He vaguely recalled Qing Ning mentioning them on QQ, saying one of their songs was great and even sharing it with him.
Back then, he had just listened to the tune casually and hadn’t paid attention to what the members looked like.
He hadn’t expected the group leader to be this stunning—her visuals off the charts, and that figure, absolutely flawless.
Tang Song couldn’t help but take a few more glances at the screen, a subtle feeling surfacing in his chest.
Luo Qiliang said with concern, “I can’t believe my goddess actually did a sexy photoshoot like this. The style change is too drastic. Could it be the agency stirring up trouble?”
“I think I heard something about that too. There’s supposedly tension within Echo. Rumor has it Su Yu bullies the other members. The group’s been together three years, and she’s the only one who’s never been replaced.”
“Don’t talk sht! My goddess is so amazing—she’s the face of the company. Who’d even dare touch her?”
The dorm discussion stayed heated.
Tang Song stared at the other gorgeous pics for a bit longer, then lay back on his bed.
His mind grew a little foggy, then sharpened again.
“!” The system interface unfolded before his eyes.
A character card glowing with orange light appeared at the center of his vision.
【Shen Hui Xianyue (SSR)】
【Status: Restless and Irritated】
【Location: Shencheng New Kaihang Industrial Park.map】
【Special Skill: None】
【Age: 29, Height: 167cm, Weight: 56kg】
【Overall Rating: 88.8 – Outstanding (Can Be Improved)】
【Character Backstory: Born in 1988 into a prominent family in the Imperial Capital, with deep political ties and connections. Her maternal grandfather was…, her paternal grandfather was a dual-academy academician (a leading authority in high-energy physics), her father… graduated from Tsinghua University’s Precision Instrument Department and earned an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management (full scholarship)….】
Tang Song studied the card carefully, his eyes glittering with excitement.
Another SSR rare character! And the “backer” he needed most right now.
Even though he and Secretary Jin had amassed a fortune using their foresight, system items, and Anne Kate’s support, it was still just a numbers game—not solid enough.
Manufacturing was the true foundation of their foothold. Taking the path of industrial revival for the country was the optimal strategy.
Modern China was undergoing the largest industrialization in human history.
It was the cornerstone of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Massive job creation, advancement in Chinese industry, breakthroughs in tech fields…
All of it would help him dodge external pressure while also fulfilling his personal values.
For instance, their development at home and abroad was facing many restrictions, and Ouyang Xianyue was the perfect candidate to help resolve these issues.
She had taken over Shencheng’s New Kaihang Electronics six months ago.
It was once a prosperous company but had fallen into massive debt due to outdated tech, broken funding chains, and fierce market competition.
Even though she had mobilized every resource she could to salvage it, issues like factory shutdowns, worker unrest, and plummeting client orders still surged in like a tidal wave, nearly pushing her to the brink.
To revive the company would require an ocean of capital and strong technical support.
Fortunately, that’s exactly what Tang Song could offer.
Another tragic detail: not long after she took over the business, her newlywed husband died in an accident.
At this moment, Ouyang Xianyue was suffering both professional and emotional collapse, utterly exhausted in body and mind.
Under normal circumstances, given Tang Song’s current identity, even a face-to-face meeting would be unlikely to gain her full trust.
Thankfully, he had the 【Dream System】.
Although it wasn’t like UR character Secretary Jin’s built-in passive dream link interface, he could still form a connection during recruitment.
It left a starting level of favorability and loyalty.
Which paved the way for interaction in the real world.
As night deepened, Tang Song quietly waited for Ouyang Xianyue to enter a dream.
But clearly, she was too troubled and suffering from severe insomnia.
Tang Song simply opened his phone, and for some reason, thought of that photoshoot again.
He couldn’t help but download Weibo, search “Su Yu,” and started scrolling through her beautiful photos.
At 2 a.m., the system prompted that Ouyang Xianyue had finally fallen asleep.
Only then did Tang Song put his phone away and close his eyes.
In the dream, he finally met this future 【Precision Queen】.
At nearly 30 years old, she had medium-short hair, striking facial structure, and fair skin.
She carried both the grace of a socialite and the sharpness of an emerging businesswoman.
Like a scalpel wrapped in velvet—elegant and precise.
In the dream-room filled with fatigue and sorrow, Ouyang Xianyue seemed to see him as someone she could pour her heart out to.
They talked about so much—her family background, the current challenges of the company, even her personal misfortunes.
Tang Song stayed calm and rational the whole time, offering comfort and advice with just the right words.
After a week of dream interactions, Ouyang Xianyue’s favorability finally reached the standard.
Tang Song officially completed her recruitment and unlocked the 【Precision Queen】 development task.
Finals ended, and Yancheng University of Technology started a 40-day winter break.
Tang Song went back to his hometown for a few days, saw his sweet, cute White Moonlight, and then, under the excuse of working part-time, bid his parents farewell and headed to Shencheng.
This winter break, he would throw himself into that electronics company, laying an unshakable foundation for his future.
Following the location info on the character card, Tang Song “accidentally” ran into Ouyang Xianyue.
She was wearing a well-fitted gray business suit, silver-rimmed glasses perched on her straight nose, and a classic Patek Philippe watch on her wrist.
In his special dream-state, Tang Song was extremely calm and composed, without any excess emotional expression.
Their first meeting went very well.
Tang Song then handed over a detailed proposal.
The proposal not only analyzed New Kaihang’s current problems but also laid out specific solutions—capital restructuring, tech upgrades, international expansion, all crucial steps.
Each suggestion hit the mark, showing his deep grasp of industry and finance.
Ouyang Xianyue felt like she’d known him forever and saw him as a confidant.
Soon after, the capital institutions backing Tang Song began entering the field, and New Kaihang was officially renamed “Tangyi Precision.”
January 27th, Lunar New Year’s Eve.
Tang Song returned to Jing County once again.
Tiny snowflakes drifted in the sky, like countless light feathers swirling and falling in the cold wind.
The air carried a faint scent of firecrackers and cooking smoke.
Since the roads in the village were inconvenient, the taxi stopped at a small intersection.
Tang Song paid the fare, grabbed his suitcase, stepped onto the snow-covered path, and walked briskly home.
He was wearing a thick down jacket, soothing music playing in his earphones,
his mind still mulling over the final steps of Tangyi Precision’s capital restructuring, key directions for tech development, and specific international expansion strategies.
Near the front door, he keenly sensed someone watching him.
He turned around and saw a girl in a red cotton coat and white sweater.
She immediately turned her back to him—slim figure, short hair curled slightly at the ends, shoulders stiff as if unsure whether to stay or leave.
Still in dream-state, Tang Song didn’t think much of it. His mind was still racing.
He calmly walked past her, took off his earphones at the door, and stepped up onto the stoop.
That feeling of being watched resurfaced. He looked back and saw the girl turning to look at him too.
Snowflakes still danced down, landing softly on her red coat, white sweater collar, and chestnut-colored hair.
She stood on the muddy road, her cheeks red from the cold, eyes filled with a mix of shyness and disappointment.
Looking at that familiar face, a long-forgotten name finally surfaced in Tang Song’s mind.
Zhang Yan.
It seemed… it had been almost a year since he last saw her.
Compared to the past, she looked a bit more “stylish” now, not as frumpy.
Wearing a brand-new, brightly colored coat, she looked neat, tidy, gentle, and pretty.
Still carried a strong student vibe.
Their eyes met. Her lips moved slightly, her breath turning to white mist in the cold air, then quickly scattered by the wind.
If he’d been in his normal state, Tang Song probably would’ve gone up and said hi, maybe asked how she’d been.
After all, they used to be deskmates and occasionally bumped into each other in high school.
But in this dream state, his subconscious had filed her under “unimportant information.”
He smiled and gave her a nod, then walked quickly into the house.
This seemingly small moment didn’t stir anything in his heart, nor did it stay long in his memory.
During the New Year, everything back home was warm and joyful,
Bai Yueguang rode the newly bought electric scooter from home into town to find him, dragging him around the county city.
KTV, park, movie theater, bookstore...
They strolled along the frozen river, the snow under their feet crunching with a “ge-ei ge-ei” sound.
Bai Yueguang wore fluffy earmuffs, her cheeks flushed red from the cold, but her smile was especially radiant.
She would take the initiative to hold Tang Song’s hand and talk about the new friends she had made in her first semester of university, her voice cheerful and bouncy.
She also encouraged him to study hard, so they could both make a fortune in the Imperial Capital in the future.
In her eyes, there was hope and longing for the future,
And of course, there was him, too.
In the days that followed,
Secretary Jin, through the Kate Family, helped Tangyi Precision introduce some advanced technologies and equipment and facilitated partnerships with several European and American companies.
At the same time, Ouyang Xianyue fully demonstrated her leadership skills, leading the team step by step out of trouble.
Tangyi Precision transitioned from a traditional OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) model to ODM (Original Design Manufacturing), and gradually moved toward independent R&D.
Relying on his foresight, Tang Song guided Tangyi in developing a series of innovative consumer electronics products, which quickly gained popularity thanks to their excellent design and performance.
Everything was gradually falling into place.
April 1st, 2017, April Fools’ Day.
Knock knock knock— the sound of knocking rang out.
“Come in!”
Moments after the knock, Secretary Jin pushed open the office door and walked in briskly.
She wore a full professional outfit, her sleek low ponytail seeming to brighten the entire office.
“Tang, you called for me? Is something urgent?”
Tang Song looked up and said mildly, “Secretary Jin, your stockings look really nice today.”
Secretary Jin smiled. “Thank you for the compliment.”
The office fell silent.
Secretary Jin couldn’t help but speak. “Mr. Tang, is there anything else?”
“Your makeup looks beautiful today too.”
“So?” Secretary Jin raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Nothing else really, I just wanted to compliment you in person.”
Secretary Jin took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling sharply. “So... is this the reason you had me come all the way from the Imperial Capital?”
Tang Song smiled and shook his head. “There’s one more thing. Today marks one year since we met. I’d like to take you out for a meal—would that be alright?”
Secretary Jin paused, her gaze toward Tang Song softening with warmth. She placed her hands in front of her and said gently, “Of course. It would be my honor. I’ll go freshen up at the hotel first.” Check latest chapters at novel⦿fire.net
With that, she turned and quickly walked out.
Under the gray pencil skirt, her slender waist swayed side to side.
Her long legs wrapped in sheer stockings glowed faintly under the light.
Her full, perky hips curved like a heart, gently trembling with each step.
After clarifying things with his beautiful secretary, Tang Song, in high spirits, snapped his fingers.
Opened the system mall.
Maybe it was thanks to Secretary Jin, but during today’s mall event, he obtained a rare special item: 【Lucky Coin】.
An item that could greatly boost temporary luck.
At the same time, Tang Song looked at the 10 saved-up card draw chances he had and felt a stirring in his heart.
Since character recruitment and development consumed a lot of resources and effort, he could only recruit a limited number of characters, preferably across different fields.
So which field to choose next?
Artificial intelligence? Human resources? Entertainment media?
For some reason, a stunning figure flashed across his mind.
Su Yu.
Tang Song closed his eyes, inspiration flickering through his mind as he started giving himself logical excuses.
Entertainment and media were inevitable.
Not only did they bring fast money, they also allowed control over public opinion and could support his business empire.
He had tons of film and music resources in his mind—why let them go to waste when he could turn them into reality himself?
And for that, he needed a vessel.
Preferably a top-tier female artist with viral potential.
Of course, all of that was bullsh*t.
The truth was, he just wanted to play an idol cultivation game. He wanted to mold that cold, fairy-like celebrity into his own shape.
In fact, though character draws were random, with enough luck, he could totally pull the one he wanted most.
【Consultant – Anne Kate】 had come to him that way.
He first heard about her through Secretary Jin—her family background, her personality—then plotted to recruit her.
Through her, he gained access to the Kate Family’s core resources.
Now, with the 【Lucky Coin】 and a few other luck-boosting items and titles, it was the perfect time to try.
In the end, Tang Song followed his heart and decided to go all in this time.
On the 7th draw, a stunning portrait card appeared before him.
【Su Yu (SSR)】
【Status: Depressed...】
【Location: Modu Anzhu Park.map】
【Special Skill: None】
【Age: 20, Height: 172cm, Weight: 46kg】
【Overall Rating: 87.4 – Outstanding (Can Be Improved)】
【Character Backstory: Born in 1997 to an ordinary family in Jiangsu Province, she possessed both talent and diligence. Debuted at 17, was a first-gen member of the Echo girl group....】
It was only through the backstory that Tang Song learned about her current situation.
The teammates she had personally mentored turned against her.
Bullying in the group, tearing down her posters, smoking, drinking... a stream of baseless scandals, paired with maliciously edited video clips and photos, subjected her to unprecedented cyberbullying and career destruction.
To preserve the cash cow that was Echo, the company chose to sacrifice Su Yu to protect the group.
At the All-Star Concert, performing alone, she faced the rare “black ocean” incident in Chinese pop—her life and career crumbled, and she showed signs of depression and suicidal thoughts.
After reading her story, even in his dream-state, Tang Song remained calm and composed—but more resolute than ever.
It’s worth mentioning that during lunch, Tang Song specifically mentioned his plans for entertainment and media to Secretary Jin and casually asked her to look into someone—
Su Yu.
…..
April 5th, 2017, 7:00 a.m.
On the winding path in Anzhu Park, Modu, Tang Song walked at a leisurely pace, weaving through the woods still cloaked in morning mist.
Birdsong rang in his ears, accompanied by a faint, low melody from a guitar.
He stopped and stood silently under the shade of a tree, watching her.
On a bench ten paces away, Su Yu wore a black baseball cap and two-toned sunglasses, wrapped up tight.
She lowered her head, strumming a wooden guitar, the melody slow and sorrowful.
The morning sun filtered through the leaves, outlining her perfect figure.
Tang Song picked a budding cherry blossom from a nearby tree and walked gently to her side.
He sat beside her and placed the blossom near her hand.
The bud was still closed, but it already carried a faint sweet scent.
“For you.” His voice was gentle and calm, like a still lake.
The music came to an abrupt stop.
“Who are you?” she looked up, guarded. Her voice was lovely, but extremely hoarse.
“A knight from your dreams, here to save you.” Tang Song smiled slightly. “Miss Su Yu, sometimes the end is just a new beginning.”
He couldn’t see her eyes behind the sunglasses, but he could feel her confusion and hesitation.
Tang Song placed the cherry blossom on her smooth, toned legs and took the guitar from her hands.
With practiced fingers, he strummed a few notes, then began to play.
The melody was light and warm, pleasant and captivating.
Su Yu stared at him intently, her expression shifting from puzzled to a kind of unexplainable brightness.
“This... you wrote this yourself?” she couldn’t help but ask, her voice softer now, fingers unconsciously playing with the blossom.
Tang Song nodded. “Sort of. I improvised. Do you like it?”
“I do.” She nodded. Then added, “I really like it.”
It felt familiar, but she couldn’t remember where she’d heard it.
Maybe... in a dream?
Looking at the fresh, clean-cut young man before her, a warmth and sense of trust rose up inside.
Then, Tang Song played another lovely tune.
This time he relaxed more, leaning against the bench, fingers dancing across the strings like chatting with an old friend.
It made the spring morning feel even more alive.
Su Yu was quiet for a while, then suddenly said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Thank you for the beautiful music, and for the cherry blossom,” she looked down at the flower in her hand, her voice barely audible, “Whether you’re sincere or not, kind or not, at least in this moment, I felt happiness I hadn’t felt in a long time.”
Tang Song turned his head and looked at her quietly.
Neither spoke. They just gazed at each other.
After a long while, the sun gradually rose, its blinding light piercing through the treetops.
Tang Song stood up in front of her, blocking the glare.
“I’m Tang Song. Tang Song from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.” He smiled slightly, his voice deep yet full of strength. “Fate loves playing tricks, but true strength lies in rebuilding your kingdom from ruins. Miss Su Yu, if you're willing, I’ll be the step beneath your feet—helping you rise from the abyss to the stars, until you wear the crown once more.”
Su Yu stared at him, stunned. She was shocked to find that she genuinely felt close to him, trusted him, depended on him.
As if he really was the knight from her dreams, charging in to protect her.
Mysterious, powerful, unstoppable.
She slowly stood up, licking her dry lips. “Then what should I do now?”
“Come with me!”
Tang Song held the guitar in one hand and grabbed her cold hand with the other.
He led her through the gradually bustling park and into a small breakfast shop at the alley corner, steaming with warmth.
“Breakfast—half of life. Starting today, you eat on time.”