novelraw Chapter 557: Autumn Encounter
Chapter 557: Autumn Encounter
After a moment, Shangguan Qiuyas slowly looked up.
What met her eyes was Tang Song, still holding the stockings in his hand, his expression soft and calm.
He didn’t seem angry—there was even a hint of satisfaction in his gaze, as if he was quite pleased with this “gift.”
For a second, Shangguan Qiuyas felt dazed.
This man, who had always seemed aloof and rational, had felt even more untouchable to her than Director Jin.
The deep-rooted reverence she had for him had made her mentally prepare for the worst every time she was assigned a task.
But she never expected reality to unfold… so dramatically.
The atmosphere eased slightly.
Shangguan Qiuyas bent forward slightly and spoke respectfully: “Mr. Tang, then I won’t disturb your rest.”
Tang Song set the stockings aside and looked at her with a warm expression. “You’ve worked hard, Shangguan. It’s already quite late—why not stay here tonight? There are plenty of spare rooms.”“Ah… n-no need, Mr. Tang!”
Her eyes widened visibly, even her ears turned red. “I’ve already booked a hotel. It’s nearby.”
Tang Song smiled and didn’t press further. “Alright then, wait a moment—I have something for you.”
“Okay.” Shangguan Qiuyas nodded quickly and watched his figure disappear behind the door, finally letting out a quiet breath of relief.
The mental shadow that Mr. Tang had left on her in the past was far too intense.
To the point that every time she faced him, she felt like even her breathing had to be careful.
But to be fair… Mr. Tang now was really hot!
Broad shoulders, narrow waist, fit build, clean and crisp—his jawline sharp like a sculpture.
If he were on screen, he’d be just as dazzling as any A-list actor.
He had always been handsome, sure—but back then he didn’t pay much attention to his appearance. His styling, hair, and body management had been pretty casual.
Now, this appearance matched with his “god-tier core”—a perfect male god.
A perfect match for Director Jin.
She looked forward to the day they stood together again.
Just as Shangguan Qiuyas was getting lost in her imagination, footsteps returned.
The stockings in Tang Song’s hand were gone. In their place, he held a beautifully framed picture.
Slightly larger than A4 size, the framing was meticulously done.
“Take this back and give it to your Director Jin.”
Shangguan Qiuyas quickly took it with both hands and glanced down at the contents—her expression stilled slightly.
It was a pencil sketch of Director Jin—vivid and lifelike.
Wearing her signature professional outfit, her brown hair elegantly pinned up, a few strands falling on either side of her cheeks.
Her eyes were deep and bright, as though they could pierce through the paper and into one’s soul.
The whole image was filled with rich emotion—every detail rendered exquisitely.
Shangguan Qiuyas couldn’t help but hold her breath, her voice tinged with excitement: “Understood, Mr. Tang. I’ll hand it over to Director Jin personally!”
She could already imagine how delighted Director Jin would be when she saw this sketch.
Tang Song patted her shoulder, his smile bright and radiant.
“Thanks again, Shangguan. Come to think of it, our first meeting must’ve been around October 2016, at Smile Investments in the Imperial Capital. It’s already been seven years. You’ve grown a lot since then—more mature, more capable.”
One of the three [Feather of Memory] rewards he’d received—the first had the shortest span and the clearest recollection.
He remembered people like Shangguan Qiuyas, Jiang Yourong, and Qin Yingxue vividly.
Shangguan Qiuyas’s lips trembled slightly, her eyes suddenly stinging. “Thank you, Mr. Tang. I didn’t think you’d remember so clearly.”
Those dusty memories surged back like a tide.
Of course she remembered the first time she saw Tang Song.
And she remembered how dazzling, how shockingly brilliant he had been at just 18.
He stood there like a beam of light—so radiant you couldn’t even look directly at him.
The elevator slowly descended.
Shangguan Qiuyas leaned against the smooth metal wall, her heartbeat gradually calming down. The flush on her cheeks faded, and she returned to her usual calm and graceful self.
“Ding——”
The elevator doors opened slowly at B1.
“Tap tap tap——” Footsteps echoed.
“Miss Shangguan!” The waiting driver quickly opened the rear car door.
Shangguan Qiuyas didn’t get in immediately. Instead, she carefully placed the meticulously packaged sketch into the car, making sure it wouldn’t crease or get damaged.
Only then did she step in, her movements composed and precise.
“To Lan Feng International Hotel,” she said calmly.
“Understood.”
The Maybach started and smoothly drove out of the underground parking lot.
City lights filtered in through the windows, casting shifting patterns across the glass.
Cool autumn wind slipped in through a slight crack in the window, carrying a hint of seasonal chill.
Shangguan Qiuyas picked up her phone and called Director Jin.
“Hello, Director Jin. The task you assigned has been completed.”
“Oh?” Secretary Jin’s tone lifted slightly. “Give me the details.”
Shangguan Qiuyas lowered her voice and described her “stocking toss” operation, adding Tang Song’s reaction.
Secretary Jin chuckled softly. “Excellent, Shangguan. You did very well—I’m impressed.”
“Thank you, Director Jin.” Shangguan Qiuyas sounded flattered.
This was the first time Director Jin had praised her in such an appreciative tone.
Secretary Jin paused, then continued, “Since you’re already in Yancheng, take care of the other matters there while you’re at it.”
“Yes, Director Jin.” Shangguan Qiuyas replied promptly. “About Jiang Yourong—I’ve already contacted her. We’ll meet officially tomorrow.”
“Good.” Secretary Jin’s tone grew thoughtful, as if calculating something.
A moment later, she added, “Also, regarding You Chengye’s shares in Jinxiu Commerce—register a shell company and use it to acquire his holdings. Before Tian Jing’s birthday, let Mr. Tang know about this company. Consider it a birthday present from me to Tian Jing.”
“Understood. I’ll start working on it right away.” Shangguan Qiuyas nodded seriously, her gaze sharpening.
After hanging up the call—
She leaned back in her seat, eyes gleaming. She knew Director Jin was in an excellent mood.
Originally, those shares held by Tian Chengye had been Director Jin’s leverage to discipline and test Little Jing.
But after tonight’s small “interaction,” it seemed Director Jin had decided to soften her approach—opting for a gentler strategy.
Thinking of that quirky, mischievous Little Jing—
Shangguan Qiuyas couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head.
Clearly, Little Jing still didn’t realize what kind of “opponents” she was really dealing with.
Not just Director Jin’s watchful eye—
Even behind the crisis at Hueneng Electronics, there were faint shadows of Ouyang Xianyue.
October 21st, 2023. Saturday. Partly Cloudy. 11–22°C.
Tang Song opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was that black stocking on the pillow.
A smile gradually spread across his lips.
Along with the soft ding of a bank deposit notification on his phone, a new day officially began.
Wake up. Workout. Shower. Hair styling—everything in meticulous order.
Then, he stepped into the walk-in closet.
He adjusted the phone stand and lighting, and began recording today’s “account content.”
His Douyin account was nearing 400,000 followers. Today’s plan? A transformation video featuring his luxury wardrobe.
First clip: he walks in wearing a loose white tee and slouchy athletic shorts.
Second clip: a comic-style hand covers the lens.
Third clip: when the screen clears, he’s in a high-end tailored suit—dress shirt, cufflinks, watch—all impeccably styled, shoulders squared, aura refined.
The transitions were smooth, the pace snappy, and paired with trendy background music—it made for a perfectly scroll-stopping short video.
Even though his face never appeared, every detail was designed to grab attention.
Together, these elements were a recipe for viral success.
He edited and uploaded it to Douyin.
Glancing at the time, Tang Song stretched and changed into a set called [Autumn Encounter], then headed out.
Autumn morning light had already filled the sky.
The world was still waking, but the land had already turned to fall.
The air carried a sharp, cool bite.
Leaves along the sidewalks had turned golden and reddish-orange. Occasionally, the breeze would carry a few drifting to the ground.
Tang Song strolled casually through the morning streets, his footsteps light over scattered branches and leaves.
Sunlight slanted across his side profile, outlining his features like a perfect sculpture.
Any woman passing by couldn’t help but pause, their eyes glued to his silhouette, unable to snap out of their daydreams.
Imagination ran wild in their hearts.
After a while, Tang Song casually chose a popular breakfast stall.
While waiting in line—
The girl taking orders stuttered, unable to speak properly.
Her cheeks flushed, and she kept stealing glances at him, trying hard to mask her nervousness.
Tang Song kept a warm, gentle smile on his face.
He ordered a basket of soup dumplings, a bowl of spicy pepper soup, and two tea eggs.
Noticing a nearby vendor selling roujiamo, he bought one too.
With his improved fitness, his appetite had grown substantially.
This was just enough for breakfast.
Seated, he took a bite of the crispy roujiamo, the familiar savory taste spreading across his palate.
After a moment’s hesitation, he picked up his phone and snapped a photo—sending it to Qiuqiu.
Recently, that lady designer seemed to have stopped having nightmares.
But the [Dream Bloom Seed] continued growing rapidly, suggesting his efforts to “treat” her frigidity were highly effective.
Zhuxi Residential Community.
In a dim bedroom, curtains still drawn, the glow from a phone screen lit the room faintly.
Qiuqiu leaned against the headboard, gripping her phone tightly, eyes locked on the screen, fingers scrolling and typing constantly—as if engaged in a silent battle.
Following He Yiyi’s debut live stream yesterday, HEYISTUDIO had stirred intense discussions in small circles.
Naturally, some had started noticing Tang Song’s “brand cultivation” on Xiaohongshu.
With that layered on top, it brought in a wave of traffic for him.
Long-time fans gradually learned that HEYISTUDIO was actually the brand of top streamer He Yiyi, and the entire fandom was boiling with excitement.
At the same time, haters had begun to emerge as well.
She had already successfully infiltrated two of “April’s” fan groups.
Today was the weekend, no work—so she’d started acting as a stealthy “cheerleader” before 6 a.m., going hard for almost two hours.
She hadn’t even eaten, still in her pajamas.
She wasn’t just active in the group chats, steering discussions—
She was also constantly patrolling April’s Xiaohongshu account.
If she saw someone criticizing April, she jumped in right away; if someone praised her, she’d instantly like and repost. Every single April-related post on Xiaohongshu, she read attentively and interacted with enthusiasm.
“Ding-dong—” WeChat notification sound rang out.
Next came two messages:
[Tang Song: roujiamo.jpg]
[Tang Song: “Doesn’t taste as good as the one you brought me before—maybe it’s just psychological?”]
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it, and she suddenly sat up straight, her long tangerine-brown hair bouncing with the motion.
She opened the chat window, bit her lip lightly, and started typing: “Sure, I’ll bring you one on Monday. Just let me know what extras you want.”
Taking a deep breath, she hit send.
Then she stared at the screen, waiting anxiously for Tang Song’s reply.
After a moment—
“Chomp chomp chomp—”
[Tang Song: “Alright, then I want the grand slam—the most deluxe version.”]
Qiuqiu’s eyes lifted slightly at the corners, and she pulled her legs up, starting to chat with him, lost in thought.
She wasn’t good at socializing. Every time she messaged Tang Song, she had to carefully think over each word, even rehearse the conversation in her head a few times.
Afraid of saying the wrong thing. Afraid of upsetting him.
Actually, it wasn’t just with Tang Song. She sometimes did the same with coworkers or classmates. Latest content published on noᴠelfire.net
But to others, it just came off as cold, aloof, distant.
She knew this flaw—but couldn’t change it.
[Tang Song: “You just got up, go eat too. Bye. (#hug)”]
Seeing the hug emoji at the end, Qiuqiu’s face turned slightly red.
Her fingers clenched the hem of her undershirt, her face showing a moment of internal struggle.
She had the urge to send him a hug emoji too, but in the end, she didn’t dare.
She just quietly replied: “Okay, bye.”
Setting her phone down, Cheng Qiuqiu sat on the bed in a daze for a few seconds.
But soon, she got up, changed clothes, washed up, and did her hair.
It was as if someone had pumped fresh energy into her—she felt vibrant and full of life.
She opened the door and stepped into the living room.
A figure appeared in her sight.
Qiuqiu paused, panic flashing across her face.
Gao Mengting was sitting there in casual wear, over-ear Bluetooth headphones on, listening to music with a copy of Norwegian Wood in hand.
“Morning, Senior.”
Hearing the voice—
Gao Mengting put down her book and looked up. “Morning, Qiuqiu. I brought you breakfast—eat it while it’s still hot.”
“Thank you, Senior.” Qiuqiu kept her head down, her voice barely audible.
Gao Mengting took off her headphones, walked over, and patted her on the shoulder. “No need to thank me. You’ve been working hard these past few days. Now that the visual recognition system is done, don’t stay late anymore. Get some proper rest.”
“Mhm.” Qiuqiu nodded, not daring to meet her eyes.
She had just been flirting with her senior’s boyfriend—now, facing her senior’s kindness, a wave of guilt overwhelmed her.
She knew what she was doing was wrong, but she couldn’t help herself.
After sitting at the dining table—
Gao Mengting smiled and said, “Weren’t you supposed to go with Gao Junfeng to look at motorbikes today? What time is he picking you up?”
“He said sometime after 9.”
Gao Mengting blinked and teased, “You two really are something. Childhood neighbors, college classmates, now both working in Yancheng. And now he’s buying a bike—don’t tell me he’s making a move on you?”
“No, Senior.” Qiuqiu quickly shook her head, her voice flustered but serious. “He’s only buying it because his boss likes bikes. We’re just regular friends. And... you know my situation...”
Her voice got quieter and quieter, as if afraid someone would hear.
She used to not care much about being frigid, but now, for some reason, it stung a little more.
“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about that.”
Gao Mengting quickly switched the topic and started chatting about celebrity gossip.
9:30 AM.
“Riiiing——” her phone rang.
Qiuqiu glanced at the caller ID and picked up quickly. “Hello, Brother Junfeng.”
“Oh, okay, I’ll come down in a bit.”
“Bye-bye.”
After hanging up, she let out a soft exhale and walked to the wardrobe.
Since she was helping test-drive a motorbike, she changed into a casual sporty outfit—
An oversized hoodie, black skinny joggers, and sneakers. Lastly, she topped it off with a Su Yu–style baseball cap.
Once everything was set, she checked the time, grabbed her crossbody bag, and headed downstairs.
As she pushed open the entrance door—
A familiar figure came into view.
Dressed in a gray tracksuit and white sneakers, tall and lean, with clean, handsome features—he looked like the “senior-type male lead” straight out of a drama.
“Brother Junfeng.” Qiuqiu offered a slight smile, her tone natural but clearly keeping a polite distance.
They had known each other for over ten years—from neighborhood kids to college classmates, and now both settled in Yancheng. They knew each other inside out.
And precisely because of that, she was very clear on what kind of boundaries they should keep—
To avoid giving him the wrong idea.
“Good morning, Qiuqiu.” Gao Junfeng grinned brightly. “You look great today—this outfit really suits you. Very chill.”
“Thanks.” Qiuqiu smiled faintly and said nothing more.
“Come on, hop in.”
Gao Junfeng waved her over, stepping to a black Audi A6L and gallantly opening the passenger door with a gentlemanly gesture.
Qiuqiu nodded, slipped off her bag, and bent down to get in.
Her movements were fluid, and the curve of her hips and the lines of her long legs in those black pants were striking.
She radiated a quiet, irresistible charm.
Standing outside, Gao Junfeng couldn’t help but linger his gaze on her for a few extra seconds—his eyes flashing with a subtle heat.
Click—the door closed.
The Audi A6L smoothly rolled out of the complex gates.
Gao Junfeng held the wheel and casually asked about her recent work, his tone relaxed and confident.
This was one of the high points of his life.
While his peers were still trying to find footing in the workplace, he was already thriving as an assistant VP at Zhongcheng Group.
Like this Audi—assigned to executives by the company.
Once he asked, the vehicle management department approved it right away for him as a “temporary assignment.”
Driving around with a pretty girl in the passenger seat, he felt like a line straight out of a poem:
Spring winds at my back, galloping fast, I glimpse all the blossoms of Chang’an in one day.
He’d originally suggested Qiuqiu ride her Suzuki GSX250 and give him a lift to the dealership.
But this cool, aloof girl had rejected him without hesitation.
By now, he was used to it.
He had known Cheng Qiuqiu since she was thirteen.
He knew she wasn’t like other girls—she had a strong aversion to any physical contact with men.
So after secretly crushing on her for a while, he gave up.
Later in college, he became a campus heartthrob, a top-tier male student, surrounded by outstanding women.
Heiresses, top scholars, successful older women...
Gradually, he let go of that obsession.
After all, his ideal partner was someone like Qin Hua or Tian Jing—a rich, smart beauty from a powerful background, high EQ, someone who could pave the way for him and give him leverage in elite circles.
By comparison, though Cheng Qiuqiu was stunning, her background was humble and her personality cold.
Born in a rural village, her father passed away early, and her mother just ran a tiny convenience shop.
If they actually got together, she’d only drag him down.
But he had to admit—her face and figure were f***ing irresistible.
Cheng Qiuqiu had the kind of presence like uncut jade—cold and refined. The more aloof she acted, the stronger the urge to conquer her.
Especially today, with this outfit—those lines, that aura, the bone structure—flawless from head to toe.
His gaze lingered uncontrollably between her side profile and the curve of her legs.
Forget the future—just maintaining this kind of “flirty but not too close” ambiguity would be the perfect indulgence.
Thinking that, Gao Junfeng subconsciously licked his lips, Adam’s apple bobbing slightly.
“Beep beep beep——” An abrupt honk broke the silence.
Cheng Qiuqiu raised her brow slightly and calmly reminded, “Brother Junfeng, green light.”
“Oh—oh.” Gao Junfeng snapped back to reality, released the brake, and hit the gas, driving through the intersection.
Over ten minutes later—
The Audi A6L slowly pulled into Hengda Motors.
After parking, the two of them entered the dealership.
What greeted them was a bright, expansive showroom, luxuriously decorated, with glass and metal interwoven. Rows upon rows of gleaming motorcycles were neatly arranged inside.
Lights shimmered off the bikes, giving them that cold, mechanical gleam.
Since it was the weekend, the showroom was bustling.
Accompanied by the sound of heels clicking, a female sales associate quickly approached, wearing a professional smile.
“Hello, you two. How can I help you today?”
Gao Junfeng pulled out his ID and handed it over. “I’m here to pick up a bike. I reserved it earlier. Here’s my ID.”
“Alright, please hold on a moment.”
The saleswoman took his ID and led them to the counter.
She typed a few things quickly, then looked up with a smile. “Mr. Gao, you reserved the 2023 Honda CM500, correct?”
“Yep, that’s right.”
Cheng Qiuqiu paused, then asked softly in surprise, “Wasn’t it the CM300?”
Gao Junfeng’s lips curved slightly as he chuckled. “Forgot to tell you—I was originally going to get the CM300 you recommended, but then I thought, might as well go all in.”
Cheng Qiuqiu looked a bit concerned. “The CM500 has a larger engine. As a beginner, it might be harder to control.”
“Heh.” Gao Junfeng shook his head dismissively. “It’s fine. I’ll get used to it.”
Qiuqiu’s lips parted slightly, as if wanting to say more, but she stopped.
A few minutes later, the order printout was complete.
The saleswoman smiled. “You’ve received a ¥3,000 discount. The final payment of ¥58,800 has been completed. You’ll just need to pay ¥7,400 for tax, insurance, and registration. Please take a look—if all’s good, I’ll proceed with the process.”
Gao Junfeng glanced over the order. “Looks good.”
“Beep——”
Payment successful.
The saleswoman beamed. “Mr. Gao, you can wait in the lounge for a bit while we prepare the vehicle. But it’s a busy day, so there might be a slight delay.”
Hearing that—
Gao Junfeng raised his brows slightly, then chuckled. “By the way, is Manager Zhang around? I’m Gao Junfeng from Zhongcheng Group—he helped me with the reservation. I wanted to thank him in person.”
The saleswoman’s demeanor brightened instantly. “Oh! You’re Manager Zhang’s friend? Please wait—let me check.”
“Alright.” Gao Junfeng nodded and sat on the sofa.
A few minutes later, the saleswoman returned with a bright smile. “Mr. Gao, Manager Zhang is in a meeting, but he gave special instructions to prioritize your vehicle. We’ve already expedited your order.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re too kind.” She looked at the two of them. “Would you like something to drink? We have coffee, tea, and juice.”
“Coffee.” Gao Junfeng turned to Qiuqiu. “What about you, Qiuqiu?”
“Just hot water for me.”
Soon, their drinks were delivered.
The saleswoman politely excused herself, leaving the two of them in the lounge.
Gao Junfeng took a slow sip of coffee, then tilted his head toward Qiuqiu, speaking casually: “This is how things go when you know the right people. Hengda’s the biggest bike dealer in Yan Province. I know their sales manager, Zhang Wen’an. If you ever need to switch rides, just come to me—I’ll hook you up with a great deal and top service.”
He said it with a clear look of self-satisfaction.
Just a few days ago, Manager Zhang had called to say the bike was fully paid for, personally arranged by President Wang.
He didn’t even need to say a word—and got a ¥60,000 bike for free.
That’s the power of connections.
“Thanks, Brother Junfeng.”
But to his disappointment, Cheng Qiuqiu didn’t show any awe or surprise.
Still the same cold-as-snow expression.
Gao Junfeng paused, like a well-staged performance losing its audience.
What a b****.
He frowned slightly and set down his coffee, switching to a more “intimate” tone: “No need to be polite. We’ve known each other so long—I’m probably the person closest to you. If you ever need anything—work, life, whatever—just come to me.”
As he spoke, he deliberately leaned in, as if trying to spark some flirty tension.
Unfortunately, it barely made a ripple.
Gao Junfeng exhaled and stood up. “There’s a CM500 right in the showroom. Wanna take a look? You can show me the ropes—help me get familiar with it.”
“Sure.”
Qiuqiu nodded and followed him into the main hall.
A good-looking guy and a pretty girl always turned heads.
Walking side by side through the display corridor, they drew a few subtle glances.
Gao Junfeng walked with one hand in his pocket, steady and confident.
He didn’t know what “competition” even meant.
Tilting slightly toward Qiuqiu’s cool, elegant profile, he was just about to say something when—
A subtle commotion stirred at the entrance.
The crowd’s attention was drawn by an invisible force, and heads turned one after another.
Gao Junfeng noticed and paused.
Qiuqiu followed his gaze—then froze, her entire body stiffening.
Crisp brown leather shoes tapped across the marble floor, the curve of an Adam’s apple showing faintly beneath a caramel turtleneck sweater.
His steps were unhurried, expression calm and serene, strolling in from the entrance.
Sunlight streamed in from the side glass wall, casting just enough light to trace the clean lines of his tall figure.
It looked like a scene from an art house film—quiet and minimal, each frame focused and pure.
Qiuqiu’s heart seized up instantly, her breath catching.
Unlike his usual elite vibe in sharp suits, today Tang Song exuded warmth and restraint—literary, even.
Gentle, like a ray of autumn sunlight falling on the window of a corner café.
If this were a university, he’d be that quiet boy in the library reading by himself.
If they dated, he’d be the kind of boyfriend who noticed every little thing, patient and thoughtful.
If they got married, he’d be the steady, loyal husband who stood between you and the storm.