novelraw Chapter 580: Regrets of Time, Helplessness of Reality
Chapter 580: Regrets of Time, Helplessness of Reality
The night was deep, the lights along both sides of Victoria Harbour sparkling like a river of stars.
The bustling crowd flowed silently like shifting shadows around them, the surrounding noise seemingly cut off.
Tang Song’s fingers gently stroked the warm nape of her neck, feeling the breath between Shen Yuyan’s lips as he studied this face that was both familiar and strange.
His hand involuntarily tightened slightly, accompanied by Shen Yuyan’s low hum, her teeth parting softly.
An unprecedented strange heartbeat, mixed with conquest and excitement, slowly exploded in his mind.
Then, the lips parted.
Shen Yuyan took a half step back.
She didn’t immediately look at Tang Song but turned her face away, letting out a light laugh tinged with self-mockery.
Then she lowered her head to tidy the wind-tousled hair and casually tugged her shirt forward to cover the snow-white skin of her chest.
After a moment, as if nothing had happened, she said lightly, “Hmm... this was my first kiss, and you just won it like that. But well, a bet is a bet. I, Shen Yuyan, accept it.” Tang Song glanced at her, a smirk playing on his lips. “You’re quite the rule follower.”
Shen Yuyan’s gaze was steady and unflinching. “Of course. We agreed on one kiss, so only one counts. More than that doesn’t count.”
“Is that so?”
“Mm-hmm.” Shen Yuyan rose on her toes and whispered, “By the way, let’s make it clear: this ‘bet’ we made tonight must not be told to Qingqing.”
Her tone was both intimate teasing and boundary-setting.
With those peach blossom eyes that were irresistibly charming at this moment, it was the ultimate tug-of-war.
Their eyes entwined in the humid air for a moment. Zhang Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, “Bad, listen to him.”
But in her heart, she silently approved her cosplayer boyfriend.
Shen Yuyan, campus belle! That’s his childhood best friend of ten years!
And he’s just using her as his wingman!
Just wait and see how you’ll scold him later!
Bei Yuwei laughed heartily, playfully winking at me before suddenly turning and striding backward.
“We still have to check out the Starlight Walk. Don’t take too many photos later or it’ll be pointless.”
She waved at me with her back turned, not looking back.
Tang Bo stood still, watching her slender figure flicker and fade into the neon-lit crowd.
In that moment, it was as if he saw all those chance encounters outside the elementary school campus.
By the forest avenue, brushing past classmates with laughter;
Outside the noisy cafeteria, the flash of surprise when she glanced back with a tray;
Outside the quiet teaching building, heartbeats pounding when meeting face to face in the empty corridor.
Although he had regained many lost fragments of memory, for Tang Song, his university days still held many moments worth savoring repeatedly.
Youth truly comes only once.
During those days, a group of peers gathered around, chatting about games, gossiping about the campus belle, debating films...
Everyone exuded vibrant energy, full of infinite expectations for the future and the purest longing for the opposite sex.
Whether it was the spirited campus belle Shen Yuyan or the cute and adorable cosplayer Xu Qing, they were all part of that time.
.....
The magnificent hotel, LVMH Asia-Pacific Elite Gathering site.
Inside the banquet hall, the ceiling lights were soft and brilliant, with limited edition artworks from the LVMH collection hanging on the walls.
Minimalist French lines intertwined with champagne gold tones, creating an atmosphere of understated luxury.
Amber liquid in tall glasses shimmered with delicate bubbles, slowly rising.
On the long table, Michelin three-star chefs’ carefully crafted cold appetizers were displayed.
Lin Muxue held a wine glass, her makeup exquisite, lips red and cool.
She wore a Louis Vuitton haute couture backless floor-length gown, with shimmering sequins decorating her chest, sparkling softly as she moved.
“~~”
The clink of wine glasses was crisp and pleasant.
“Miss Lin, I have long heard of Rongliu Capital. I understand your company’s recent forward-looking deployments in technology and consumer fields. An executive like you, with both financial background and aesthetic insight, is truly rare.” Vincent, the President of LVMH Asia-Pacific, smiled warmly, speaking sincerely and politely.
Lin Muxue returned a courteous smile, her tone soft. “You flatter me. LVMH not only represents the pinnacle of luxury goods but also leads contemporary lifestyle and cultural taste. It’s a great honor to exchange ideas with everyone here tonight.”
With a deep understanding of luxury and a crash course in fashion knowledge, Lin Muxue handled the conversation with ease and grace.
When she casually expressed interest in the brand advisory panel, Vincent immediately took the opportunity to invite her.
Lin Muxue smiled lightly, raising her glass with a carefree gesture. “If there is a chance to cooperate, I would certainly be happy to participate.”
“Excellent. We’ll contact you after the event.”
Vincent nodded, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries and contact information, the atmosphere was just right.
As Vincent left, several other attendees approached proactively, handing over business cards with warm tones.
Lin Muxue slightly lifted her chin, feeling a bit giddy inside.
At the same time, many inexplicable emotions stirred within her.
This place was not what she had imagined.
The guests were not the kind of ostentatious “Vanity Fair” she had expected.
No one flaunted luxury watches, and almost no one talked about entertainment gossip.
Including Bei Yuwei, the Hong Kong and Mainland stars here were only supporting players.
Her outfit tonight was carefully prepared to the standards of stars and socialites, initially drawing little attention. Newest update provided by novel(ꜰ)ire.net
Only after her identity as Rongliu Capital’s General Assistant was revealed did the real chemistry spark.
Standing in the center of the light-crossed banquet hall, she felt like she had truly stepped into another world.
She also realized some of her past vanity.
...
10 p.m.
A black and silver Bentley slowly pulled away from the hotel entrance, its rear window rising as it merged into the endless neon river of cars.
Lin Muxue sat in the back seat, elegantly adjusting her skirt and rubbing her slightly sore ankle.
Beside her, Bei Yuwei was texting with her head down but suddenly looked up and said softly, “Muxue, I’m thinking of posting some photos from tonight’s event on Weibo, and you’re in them. You don’t mind, right?”
Lin Muxue nodded slightly, her fatigue unconsciously straightening her posture.
“Of course not.”
“Then I’ll have my assistant post them.”
“Mm.” Lin Muxue nodded gently, responding with restraint, though a faint blush quietly bloomed on her cheeks.
In fact, deep down, she had no resistance to such opportunities to appear in the public eye alongside celebrities and socialites.
After a moment, she couldn’t resist anymore, quietly unlocking her phone and opening Weibo, refreshing the page discreetly.
In the photos, she was surrounded by several stars and artists from Tang Entertainment, smiling gracefully and confidently, like a heroine wrapped in starlight.
In the comments below, many people speculated about her identity, guessing which celebrity she was.
Lin Muxue lightly licked her somewhat dry lips, unconsciously adjusting her posture on the leather seat and twisting her waist and hips.
An indescribable sense of satisfaction and vanity wrapped around her like warm springs, making her body and mind feel blissfully comfortable.
Bei Yuwei’s gaze flickered.
She opened WeChat and succinctly reported to Mo Xiangwan about her interactions with Lin Muxue tonight and the posting effect on Weibo.
After sending the message, she sighed with relief.
Her mind couldn’t help but recall the scene five days ago, still chilling her to the bone.
In that empty office, Su Yu’s cold, emotionless eyes looked down at her, calmly questioning her relationship with Tang Song.
The invisible yet overwhelming pressure and queenly aura made Bei Yuwei’s psychological defenses collapse instantly. She trembled and confessed everything in detail.
Because of that, she confirmed from the side the extraordinary and inseparable relationship between Su Yu and Tang Song.
This realization scared her so much she still hadn’t fully recovered.
These days, even though she clearly knew Tang Song was staying at the same Four Seasons Hotel, she didn’t dare sneak a glance or contact him proactively.
Then Mo Xiangwan directly assigned her to Hong Kong, with the sole task of contacting Lin Muxue and doing everything to build a good relationship with her.
Following instructions, she was to “spread” photos of Lin Muxue with Tang Entertainment personnel online.
She didn’t know the real reason behind this and didn’t dare ask.
Outside the window, the Hong Kong night was reflected on the Bentley glass, layering her half-face in shimmering light, both cold and enchanting.
Bei Yuwei sighed deeply, her mind involuntarily recalling Tang Song’s figure.
She never expected that the man who made her heart flutter, the one who gave her the first taste of love, Tang Song, was actually Su Yu’s man.
Although her feelings for Tang Song were impure, after several encounters, she had truly fallen for him.
That feeling, perhaps... could also be called love.
And it was her first love.
But with Su Yu’s relationship towering like an impassable chasm, she naturally didn’t dare harbor any improper thoughts.
Every time she thought about it, her heart felt like it was being stirred, making breathing difficult.
Bei Yuwei bit her lip hard, staring blankly out the window, her eyes swelling with deep loneliness.
“Buzz buzz—”
The vibration of her phone interrupted her thoughts.
She glanced down at the screen, her heart skipping a beat, quickly opening the message.
[Boss Mo: “Good job. Keep maintaining a good relationship with Muxue and deepen private contact.”]
Glancing at Lin Muxue beside her, she quickly typed back, “Okay, Boss Mo!”
[Boss Mo: “I have already informed your agent. Next, you will get the domestic spokesperson contract for Bvlgari and the lead female role in an S-class movie.”]
Seeing this message, Bei Yuwei’s heart jumped sharply but didn’t erupt with the wild joy she had imagined.
These were indeed the top resources she had long dreamed of, but the deep-rooted sadness from earlier hadn’t dissipated much.
That feeling was fiercer than she had imagined.
“Buzz buzz buzz—” the phone vibrated again.
[Boss Mo: “Also, from now on, there will be no backstage rules touching you at any level in the company. All resources and conditions will be preferentially tilted toward you. Also, a final reminder: in future filming, no intimate scenes are allowed, especially no private one-on-one contact with men, except for Tang Song. Yuwei, I won’t say much, but you should understand the weight and possible consequences behind this. Don’t disappoint me.”]
Seeing this message, Bei Yuwei’s eyes widened, her mouth dry and tongue thick, her heart pounding as if about to leap out of her chest.
Her mind, previously occupied by despair and disappointment, was instantly detonated by an incredible, overwhelming joy!
Her emotional intelligence was very high, and she understood the rules of the circle well.
Almost instantly, she completely saw through the true, astonishing subtext behind Boss Mo’s words.
It meant... the company tacitly approved, even encouraged her relationship with Tang Song!
“You okay, Yuwei?” Lin Muxue slightly turned her body, noticing Bei Yuwei’s trembling, and asked with concern.
Bei Yuwei suddenly looked up, her face flushed with excitement.
“I’m fine, fine!” Her voice trembled uncontrollably. “I... I just got the company’s notice. I got the lead role in that movie I’ve dreamed of!”
Lin Muxue’s face immediately blossomed with a sincere smile. “Really? Congratulations! I said, with your looks and acting skills, you’d be a top star sooner or later. Don’t forget your friend here when you’re famous.”
“Of course not!” Bei Yuwei looked at Lin Muxue and couldn’t help but hug her tightly, planting an excited kiss on her cheek. “Thank you, Muxue! I’m just so happy!”
For her, those two short messages changed her life directly.
......
Four Seasons Hotel.
“Ding—” The elevator stopped on the 41st floor, the lights calm and soft.
Shen Yuyan looked at Tang Song beside her and waved hard. “Tang Song, I’m going back.”
“Bye-bye, get some rest early.”
Seeing Tang Song still so calm and carefree, Shen Yuyan pursed her lips and took the initiative to hug him.
Her body leaned slightly, the full curves of her C+ cup pressing naturally against his arm, the gesture intimate but perfectly measured.
“I had a great time tonight, thank you.” Her voice was low and gentle, the ending trembling slightly. “Good night.”
The elevator doors slowly closed, and Tang Song’s figure gradually faded.
Shen Yuyan held her clutch and walked briskly back to the suite, her steps landing on the thick, soft carpet.
“Click.” The door shut.
“Phew—” Shen Yuyan exhaled deeply.
A smile lifted the corner of her mouth as she hummed a light tune, slipping off her high heels and putting on soft slippers.
Tonight had perfectly met her expectations.
She could feel the intense emotion in Tang Song’s gaze.
He was moved.
The tug-of-war between man and woman... truly wonderful.
Recalling the scenes of the night, especially his kiss and suckling,
Shen Yuyan trembled involuntarily, her legs quietly closing and pressing tightly together.
She needed to take a shower and change clothes quickly.
Entering the living room, her steps paused.
On the sofa sat a figure quietly.
Lin Muxue wore a high-end custom gown, her makeup exquisite, her face beautiful, long smooth legs crossed, eyes full of strong sarcasm and coldness.
Their gazes met.
Shen Yuyan smiled softly and greeted, “Hello, Luna. When did you get back?”
Mo Xiangwan squinted, saying coldly, “Looks like you had a miserable time playing with President Tang, huh?”
Shen Yuyan walked over, casually brushing her long hair, lazily saying, “Not bad, the Victoria Harbour night view was romantic. Tang Song... hmm, also very sweet.”
Lin Muxue’s lips twitched as she slowly stood up, stepping on her eight-centimeter heels, looking down at Shen Yuyan with condescension, “Our Xue Li really doesn’t leave any chances. I thought you’d be more aggressive and just go upstairs directly...”
“Xiangxiang,” Shen Yuyan laughed lightly, “Isn’t that your specialty? Or are you not going upstairs tonight? Planning to spend a good night with me?”
The air suddenly grew colder.
Lin Muxue leaned forward slowly, her red lips almost touching Shen Yuyan’s cheek, voice sharp and threatening: “Dream on.”
Shen Yuyan’s chest rose slightly but maintained a smile, “Luna is so dedicated, even on business trips, she doesn’t forget to help her boss ‘relax.’”
“Same to you.” Lin Muxue’s lips curled slightly as she leaned close to her ear, “By the way, don’t mute your phone tonight. If President Tang needs any special supplies, to keep it secret, he’ll have to ask his special assistant to run errands, right?”
After speaking, she lightly patted Shen Yuyan’s shoulder and turned away.
Her long dress trailed, slender waist and round hips swaying alluringly.
“Bang—”
The door slammed heavily, the light flickering.
The smile on Shen Yuyan’s face instantly froze. “Bitch!”
......
October 29, 2023, Sunday.
Autumn in Yangcheng was not as distinct as in the north, but the morning breeze already carried a hint of chill.
Liwan District, Lanxin Garden community.
This was an old multi-story residential area built in the 1990s, surrounded by lush trees.
Though the environment was old, maintenance was adequate.
“Morning, Aunt Wang.”
“Oh, you’ve gone grocery shopping early?” Aunt Wang asked with a smiling squint. “What good stuff did you buy today?”
“Bought some Chinese broccoli and tofu.” Zhang Yan lifted the bag a bit. “Also grabbed some chicken breast for Juzi.”
“You treat the cat better than yourself.” Aunt Wang shook her head, laughing. “Soon you’ll be as fat as a ball!”
Zhang Yan smiled shyly and lowered her head, saying nothing more, carrying the bag as she turned and entered the stairwell.
She lived on the top floor, the sixth, with no elevator, so climbing up and down took extra effort each time.
Opening the door, a nearly 40-square-meter single room was her entire world.
There was almost no decoration, the paint slightly yellowed, the floor covered with cheap vinyl, and the furniture had a simple, outdated feel.
The living room held only an old sofa and coffee table, with a cramped small office area in the corner, a computer and a few books occupying the desk.
The only advantage was the cheap rent.
Ten minutes’ walk to Fangcun subway station, a thousand yuan monthly rent—already a rare place to breathe in this first-tier city.
“Meow—” A plump orange cat emerged skillfully from under the sofa, rubbing affectionately against her pants leg.
“I’ll make you a big meal soon.” Zhang Yan put down her things and affectionately petted its head.
The kitchen walls weren’t clean, and the range hood was quite old. She had clearly tried to clean it, but the thick, old grime was stubborn.
The clatter of spatula and iron pot rang crisp, the fragrance of Chinese broccoli and tofu mingling in the cooking fumes.
Before long, a plate of stir-fried Chinese broccoli with tofu and a freshly steamed bun were placed on the table.
Then she carefully shredded the boiled chicken breast into thin strips and put them into the cat’s bowl.
“Juzi, time to eat.”
The orange cat immediately jumped down from the sofa, its four short legs drumming rapidly on the floor as it dove into the bowl without lifting its head.
Zhang Yan watched it eat with relish and couldn’t help but smile foolishly, feeling full of satisfaction.
After breakfast, she tidied the kitchen and sat at the desk to open her computer.
The boot was slow and laggy—a compensation from her previous company’s three months’ unpaid salary after it went bankrupt.
Juzi lightly jumped onto the desk and curled up in front of her, quietly keeping her company.
She had just returned from a business trip and still had some article ideas to organize carefully.
After more than half an hour,
“Ding—” The sudden ringtone of a WeChat video call burst out.
[Zhang Lu]
Zhang Yan quickly answered, “Lulu.”
“Yanyan! I just woke up and saw an interview invite on Boss Direct! You won’t guess which company!” The voice on the other end was excitedly high-pitched.
“Which company is so amazing?”
“Nebula International Group!”
Zhang Yan gasped softly, “Really?!”
“Absolutely! Although it’s just the Yangcheng branch, it’s still an interview chance! I’m going to pray now. If I get lucky, I’ll get into a big company!” Lulu’s voice was full of uncontainable hope.
Their company, Shucheng Technology, despite “Technology” in its name, was doing traditional book publishing and marketing.
And the so-called marketing was largely acting as a secondary agent for Nebula International, earning some hard-earned downstream money.
Every soft article they wrote, every plan they made, had to be released through Nebula International’s channels.
In their field, Nebula International Group was the top of the pyramid, an unreachable big company.
After chatting with Lulu for a long time and hanging up, Zhang Yan stared blankly at the screen for a while.
She sat up straight and moved the mouse.
On the computer screen appeared some Yangcheng job postings.
Then rental information for Yancheng appeared.
Zhang Yan studied it seriously, occasionally pausing to think.
She was already used to quitting and job hunting.
Only now, with a cat named Juzi, a heavy sense of responsibility quietly grew in her heart.
She felt like a “parent,” always planning for her “child” first.
Actually... thinking carefully, things were already quite good now.
At least she could support herself and feed the cat.
Better than just after graduation, when she had student loans to repay and could only live in a damp, dark half-basement in Tiantongyuan.
Compared to then, this sunlit room was already paradise.
She leaned on the desk, unconsciously twirling Juzi’s warm ears with her fingertips, her mind flashing back to the brief but intense half year in the Imperial Capital.
Internship, official employment, working day and night in that training institution.
And every morning at 8:10 a.m., in the sixth carriage of subway line 5, a familiar yet strange figure.
But in the end, he didn’t remember her.
Her thoughts drifted, and Zhang Yan’s gaze finally settled on the 32 volumes of Dragon Ball on the bookshelf.
She took a deep breath.
Taking out a sheet of letterhead printed with “Yancheng Agricultural University” from the drawer, she pulled out the familiar carbon pen.
The pen tip hovered, then dropped.
Stroke by stroke, she solemnly wrote: “Hello, Tong Zi Yi.”
Just four characters, but it seemed to exhaust all her strength.
She stopped writing, deeply burying her face into her arm, her shoulders rising and falling slightly.
Regrets of time, helplessness of reality.
Juzi, lying beside her, meowed softly and carefully pressed its furry head against her arm.