novelraw Chapter 633: Breakup, School Anniversary
Chapter 633: Breakup, School Anniversary
Chapter 633: Breakup, School AnniversaryA dull thud rang out.
Liu Qingning suddenly dropped to her knees, one hand pressing heavily against the sturdy redwood dining table, the other tightly clutching her own head.
The migraine that had disappeared for a month surged back violently.
“Qingning!”
Su Yu’s expression instantly shifted to panic and helplessness.
She hurried forward and caught Liu Qingning’s trembling body, her voice filled with overwhelming fear: “What’s wrong with you?!”
She could clearly feel Liu Qingning’s slight tremor, a layer of fine cold sweat forming on her forehead, her complexion frighteningly pale.
She had come impulsively because Tang Song was going to meet Jin Meixiao next month.
If... if Liu Qingning really had a relapse because of her provocation and stirring,
then everything would be over! “I’ll call an ambulance right now! Wait for me!”
Su Yu frantically pulled out her phone from her bag, but her arm was firmly grasped by a cold hand.
Liu Qingning looked at her, her eyes blurred from the pain yet burning with an unprecedented stubborn fire.
She struggled to speak, each word squeezed out like a whisper through clenched teeth:
“I... I’m fine... it’s just a migraine, an old problem, it’ll pass soon. What... what exactly did you just say? Director Jin? How... how is that possible?”
In her carefully constructed and fragile worldview—
she and Tang Song shared a deep bond spanning over ten years, unmatched by anyone else.
Then, out of nowhere, Wen Ruan appeared like a captivating storm;
after struggling, she forced herself to try and accept it.
Later, she unexpectedly discovered Su Yu’s existence.
She saw her as the strongest ultimate rival in her long love race, feeling fear and timidity but secretly summoning courage to face her bravely.
But now, Su Yu was telling her that the true “big villain” was someone else.
Who was Jin Meixiao?
She had known since university days.
The 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year, a representative young leader in the business world, a cover star on Time magazine, with investments spanning the globe, the ever-present “Smile”... ꭆÃ𐌽ố𝖇Ě𝘚
Of course, the reason Su Yu’s words terrified her so much was also because she already knew that Tang Song and Jin Meixiao were acquainted.
Behind both Qingning Technology and Tang Entertainment lurked the shadow of Smile Holdings.
After graduating university, Tang Song’s first company was Meigou Technology, whose chairman at the time was Jin Meixiao.
And that ambiguous Qin Yingxue...
She had guessed that there must be secrets behind it all, unknown to her.
But she thought it was probably just involving cutting-edge technology innovations or deeper capital cooperation.
Never had she dared to imagine that Tang Song and Jin Meixiao had a relationship of another kind.
Su Yu reached out to rub Liu Qingning’s temples gently, her voice filled with worry: “Let’s go to the hospital first. After you feel better, we’ll talk about this, okay?”
She couldn’t bear the guilt of “persecuting” Tang Song’s Bai Yueguang, nor could she risk anything further.
“No! I want to know now!” Liu Qingning’s voice suddenly rose, tinged with hysterical determination. “Tell me! I have to know!”
“This...” Su Yu met her nearly burning gaze and gritted her teeth: “Tang Song and Jin Meixiao met back in 2016. They cooperated to establish Smile Holdings. The reason I acted rashly and did those wrong things to you ultimately comes down to Jin Meixiao. She’s been threatening me, telling me not to get close to Tang Song...”
Then, Su Yu began to speak quietly.
From her perspective, Jin Meixiao was absolutely ruthless, the ultimate villain.
Because of Tang Song’s past intimacy with her, Jin Meixiao targeted Su Yu repeatedly, suppressing and “persecuting” her.
From forcibly pushing through the capital restructuring and IPO of Tang Entertainment, causing her to lose partial control of the company;
to arranging the nearly maddening, intense global concert tours that drained her energy;
to signing her for a series of commercial endorsements she didn’t want, all in Tang Song’s name...
Liu Qingning listened in a daze, lips pressed tightly, silent.
Even the migraine seemed to fade from her mind.
When Su Yu finally stopped speaking, the private room fell into dead silence.
She then whispered as if in a dream, “Do you... have any evidence?”
Su Yu paused, as if expecting the question. She unlocked her phone and opened a photo she had prepared long ago, gently placing it in front of Liu Qingning.
Liu Qingning slowly lowered her head.
The background of the photo was an office that looked extremely private, with a steady and luxurious decor.
Tang Song sat upright behind a large desk, holding a pen, elegant and relaxed in posture.
The famous Director Jin stood quietly by his side, wearing her signature professional outfit, her gaze soft and focused on him.
She stared at the Tang Song in the photo.
That must have been him in his sophomore year, still carrying the youthful vigor she knew best.
But his gaze...
Those eyes, always sunny and smiling, were now unusually sharp and deep, even carrying a hint of unfamiliar indifference belonging to someone in power.
As if he was the true master of the room.
Seeing Liu Qingning’s eyes, hollow and unfocused from the heavy shock, Su Yu’s heart clenched tightly.
Worried that she might truly be hurt by the revelation.
She put away her phone and leaned forward slightly, “Honestly, I’m jealous of you. Not just me—I believe Jin Meixiao is jealous of you too.”
Liu Qingning slowly raised her head, her eyes full of confusion.
Su Yu’s amber eyes revealed a complex emotion.
“Because Tang Song treats you completely differently. You are the most special one.”
“To the rest of us, he’s a master strategist, mysterious and inscrutable. He always wears a mask—you can never see his true self.”
“But he only drops all pretenses and halos in front of you, becoming vivid and pure.”
“He discards all those awe-inspiring achievements, interacting with you as the most authentic, even slightly clumsy Tang Song. From high school to university, and later in the Imperial Capital...”
“Qingning, what you have is his most precious and untainted original heart. I’m insanely jealous of you. That’s why, after being suppressed and provoked by Jin Meixiao time and time again, I made those mistakes...”
Su Yu’s voice grew softer, tears welling up, her sobs breaking the silence.
Her expression showed pain, vulnerability, embarrassment, and grievance.
This diva superstar revealed her most heartbreaking side.
Liu Qingning lowered her head, silent for a long moment, then slowly said, “Miss Su Yu... all this information is overwhelming. Sorry, my mind is a mess right now. I want to be alone.”
“Do you really not need me to go with you to the hospital?”
“No, thank you.”
Su Yu wiped her tears after looking at her expression, then nodded, “Alright, I won’t bother you then. I came this time to meet you in advance, after all, we’ll be meeting in Modu soon. I hope we can become close friends in the future.”
After speaking, she picked up her bag placed nearby, put on sunglasses, and turned to leave the private room.
The heavy door closed softly behind her, instantly blocking all light inside.
At the moment she stepped out of the executive dining room,
the sadness, vulnerability, and guilt on Su Yu’s face faded away like the tide retreating.
The actress’s performance ended.
“Yu Jie.” Personal assistant Cheng Xiaoxi hurried up.
Su Yu nodded lightly, “Let’s go meet Wen Ruan.”
.......
Imperial Capital, Financial Street, a building glittering with lights.
Several security guards with serious expressions first passed through the glass revolving doors, quickly positioning themselves on both sides of the entrance.
Their eyes scanned vigilantly around, clearing an invisible passage.
Following closely was a group of men and women in suits, radiating a strong presence.
Among the crowd, Secretary Jin’s figure slowly appeared.
She wore a deep gray double-faced cashmere coat with a simple high-neck knit underneath, perfectly highlighting her graceful neck and fair skin.
“Click—”
The rear door of the Maybach was gently opened.
Secretary Jin nodded lightly to the people behind her and gracefully sat inside the car.
The vehicle started smoothly and silently merged into the traffic flow on Chang’an Street.
Inside the car, the temperature was comfortable, and the air was tranquil.
Shangguan Qiuya slightly turned sideways, her voice steady and respectful:
“Director Jin, Tian Jing arrived in the Imperial Capital this afternoon and has smoothly taken over the related affairs of Jingyi Asset Management. At the same time, she requested to meet with you, citing a position transfer application. From what I understand, this was personally arranged by President Tang.”
She added, “She also requested to meet you, and the reason is about her position transfer. As far as I know, this matter was personally arranged by President Tang.”
Secretary Jin leaned back against the spacious, soft leather seat, her lip line straight, “Then set it for tomorrow. You arrange the specific time.”
“Understood.” Shangguan Qiuya took notes and continued reporting, “Regarding Shen City, Director Ouyang had his first formal meeting with Miss Wen Ruan this morning at the Tang Yi Precision branch. They had lunch together and talked for nearly three hours.”
She recited all the carefully compiled details of the meeting—
from the length of the conversation, changes in expressions upon departure, to Wen Ruan’s subsequent itinerary, elaborating one by one.
Secretary Jin’s long curled eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if deep in thought, and she responded faintly, “Mm.”
Shangguan Qiuya’s voice lowered, “There’s one more thing. Just now, Su Yu went to Qingning Technology with Tang Entertainment employees and officially met Liu Qingning. After the meeting, Liu Qingning’s emotions seemed very unstable. She stayed alone in the private room for a long time and should have returned to her residence by now.”
Upon hearing this, Secretary Jin sat up slightly, her eyes bright, a faint ambiguous smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
As if she had anticipated this.
After a moment of contemplation, she said softly, “Inform Qin Yingxue that if Liu Qingning wants to intervene in Qingning Technology’s personnel matters, let her do as she wishes. Also, hint to her the importance of Tang Yi Precision to Tang Song.”
“Understood.”
“And one more thing—” Secretary Jin’s gaze looked out at the rapidly passing night scene, her tone still calm, “Let her participate in the Xuanji Optical World project as much as possible.”
Shangguan Qiuya tentatively asked, “Received. As for Tian Jing, our original plan was...”
“Since President Tang has other arrangements for her, cancel all previous plans.”
Shangguan Qiuya nodded and handed over a tablet, “This is the information you asked me to compile.”
Secretary Jin casually took it and lightly swiped her fingertip across the screen, finally stopping on a photo.
The woman in the photo had a gentle beauty and graceful temperament.
Shangguan Qiuya added timely commentary, “The Double Eleven promotion for Songmei Apparel was very successful, with monthly sales about to exceed 100 million yuan, marking the first step toward brand establishment. Miss Gao Mengting, the company’s executive vice president, played a crucial role in the process. Whether team management or strategic execution, her abilities are outstanding.”
After a moment, Secretary Jin suddenly looked up and asked an unexpected question:
“Do you think she looks a bit like me?”
Shangguan Qiuya glanced at the photo on the screen and nodded slightly, “Her appearance does resemble you in some ways, but she’s not as refined and dignified as you, and her figure and temperament differ greatly.”
She paused, then continued in a matter-of-fact tone, flattering further,
“Moreover, I found that the naming of Songmei Apparel and the visual style of the HEYISTUDIO brand, co-founded by President Tang and her, seem intricately connected to your aesthetic preferences.”
Secretary Jin’s smile deepened slightly at these words.
Looking at Gao Mengting on the screen, she flipped through the following photos, a deep, unfathomable gleam appearing in her eyes.
The car interior fell into absolute silence.
After a long while, Secretary Jin finally looked away and casually placed the tablet aside.
She gazed out the window.
The splendid night view of the Imperial Capital flowed past the car window, casting flickering light on her exquisitely beautiful face.
......
November 17, 2023, Friday, clear, 0~13°C.
5:30 a.m.
Tang Song slowly opened his eyes, a faint fragrance lingering at his nose.
In the dark, the even, long breathing of Gao Mengting came from beside him.
The night before, after working overtime until 10 p.m., he invited his partner to Yanjing Tiancheng.
She hesitated only briefly before agreeing to the invitation.
During the night, they played two intermittent matches of basketball in the room.
His partner was always excited and passionate, though unfortunately quite unskilled, lasting at most ten minutes each time.
Tang Song pinched her cheek gently, then quietly got out of bed and changed into the “Outfit - Unlimited Vitality” sportswear.
He went to the living room.
Outside the panoramic floor-to-ceiling window, the moon still hung high in the sky. Yancheng was still asleep,
just starting to warm up for the day.
“Deng deng deng~~” The WeChat video call ringtone sounded.
[Qingning]
Tang Song smiled and immediately pressed the answer button.
Liu Qingning’s familiar face instantly filled the entire screen.
Her smooth long hair was rarely tied into a refreshing bun, revealing a smooth, full forehead, making her look especially cute.
“Good morning, Qingning. Why so early today?”
Because winter was approaching and daylight came late, Liu Qingning had recently been getting up much later.
“Couldn’t sleep, so I got up,” Liu Qingning shifted her phone slightly, showing her upper body fully on screen.
She wore only a tight black camisole sports vest, perfectly outlining her full, plump chest contours.
Tang Song’s gaze was irresistibly drawn in.
The pure, adorable face of Bai Yueguang contrasted strongly with the domineering big E.
“How have you been lately? It’s cooling down in the south too. Haven’t gotten sick, right?”
“No, pretty good.” Liu Qingning’s voice was a bit dry, seemingly unaware of his gaze, and she headed toward the wardrobe.
“That’s good. Your health is a bit fragile;
you still need to take care.”
“Mm, I’ll change and then exercise.”
Liu Qingning said this and casually placed her phone on a cabinet in the wardrobe. The camera just happened to face her upper body.
Next, she bent down and began to take off her pajama pants.
Due to the angle, Tang Song couldn’t see her lower body, only the breathtaking curves pressed out beneath the black camisole vest and the faintly visible black underwear around her waist.
This was even more tempting than seeing it directly.
Tang Song’s breathing quickened, eyes fixed unblinking on the Bai Yueguang in the screen.
Then, Liu Qingning turned around, back facing the camera, and began to take off the black camisole vest.
The screen before Tang Song instantly filled with large patches of fair, smooth skin.
Liu Qingning grabbed a set of off-white sportswear hanging on a nearby hanger and began putting it on leisurely.
Her full chest, unbound, traced a dazzling curve with every movement.
Because of her slender figure, even from behind many contours were visible.
Tang Song’s breath was completely out of control;
he lost all desire to continue exercising.
“Qingning, your workout clothes are too thin. It’s cold outside;
you’ll catch a cold. Why don’t you change into something thicker? I’ll help you pick one, okay?”
“No.”
Liu Qingning didn’t respond, turning to the mirror to fix her clothes by herself.
Then she took up her phone and moved to the treadmill in the corner of the living room.
She set up the camera and started jogging at a steady pace.
Tang Song suppressed the agitation in his heart and joined her in exercising.
Time passed slowly in this silent yet tacit companionship.
Half an hour later,
Liu Qingning’s movements gradually stopped.
She walked to the camera, bent slightly, hands on her knees, panting heavily.
Sweat, like morning dew, seeped from her smooth forehead and full nose tip.
It slid down her defined jawline, soaking into the wet sports vest, her whole body radiating alluring moisture.
Tang Song’s blood boiled.
He spoke directly, “Tomorrow’s your birthday. I’ll come to Shen City to accompany you. It’s been so long since we last met;
I miss you so much.”
Liu Qingning slowly straightened and looked at him on the screen, suddenly saying, “No need, Tang Song.”
“Hm?” Tang Song was slightly stunned, asking, “What do you mean? What’s wrong?”
Liu Qingning didn’t reply.
She just quietly stared at him.
Then, those stubborn eyes that always shone with light suddenly shed a few crystal-clear tears without warning.
She didn’t cry out loud, just silently let the tears fall like pear blossoms in rain.
Tang Song’s expression stiffened;
his heart felt as if grabbed and squeezed tightly.
He tried to soften his voice, “Qingning, don’t cry. Tell me what’s going on.”
Liu Qingning bit her cherry lips and said clearly, word by word, “Let’s break up, Tang Song.”
Looking into her eyes,
Tang Song instantly realized that Bai Yueguang was serious this time.
He took a deep breath, his gaze darkening, “What exactly happened? Tell me!”
“Click—”
The video call was abruptly ended by Liu Qingning.
Tang Song’s brows twitched violently;
he immediately called back but was rejected.
He called again, rejected again.
A strong wave of unease seized his heart. Tang Song quickly found Liu Qingning’s number and called directly.
“Beep beep beep—”
The call rang for a long time. Just when he thought it would be hung up again, it was finally answered.
Tang Song said directly, “I’m leaving now to come to Shen City to find you.”
On the other end, a light laugh with a heavy nasal tone came suddenly.
Then Liu Qingning spoke jokingly, “Hehe, look how worried you are. I just... dreamed last night that you bullied me, so I wanted to tease you this morning.”
Tang Song didn’t smile, “That joke isn’t funny at all.”
“Alright, alright, got it, Xiao Song. Won’t do it again.” Liu Qingning’s voice softened like she was coaxing. “I have a surprise to tell you. I bought the plane tickets a few days ago. The flight is this afternoon, from Shen City straight to Quancheng. This birthday, I want to spend it with you in my hometown.”
“You’re going back to Quancheng?”
“Mm, suddenly felt homesick. Also, there’s one more thing...” Her voice carried a hint of anticipation and nostalgia, “After my birthday, it’ll be the 50th anniversary of our No.1 High School. Teacher Li even called me the other day, asking me to come back for the celebration. It’s hard to refuse. We can go back to our alma mater together and relive the old memories, okay? Silly Xiao Song!”
Hearing that familiar nickname unique to their high school days, Tang Song’s heart fluttered slightly.
He was silent for a moment, then softened his voice, “Alright, we really haven’t returned to our alma mater together for many years.”
“Mm! Then it’s settled. Gotta go pack now, bye-bye.”
“Bye-bye.”
After hanging up, Tang Song’s heart still couldn’t completely settle.
He knew her too well.
Bai Yueguang was always mature and rational.
Even when joking in the closest moments, she would never use the word “breakup” to test him.
Something must have happened behind this that he didn’t know about.
He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, frowning thoughtfully for a long time.
Tang Song sighed.
However, this matter could only be clarified face-to-face after meeting.
Then, as if recalling something, he opened QQ and scrolled his finger across the screen.
His gaze finally landed on a group chat set to Do Not Disturb.
[Qingxian No.1 High School Alumni Group]
He had joined it last time he went back home and triggered the “Feather of Memory” at No.1 High School (Chapter 362).
He hardly ever opened it since then.
Scrolling up casually, he soon found discussions about the school anniversary.
This year was the 50th anniversary of Qingxian No.1 High School, a grand celebration of a whole new level.
The invitation list included outstanding alumni, retired teachers, leaders from education departments, and several well-known social figures.
In some promotional materials, Tang Song saw many familiar names.
They were the “luminaries” of their high school days.
Among them was naturally Liu Qingning, the top science student of the 2016 class.
However, school records still marked her as “Co-founder of Century Zhixue.”
After all, she hadn’t been at Qingning Technology for very long.
As for Tang Song, who wasn’t outstanding in high school, he naturally wasn’t on the “special invite” list.
He stared at those familiar campus photos and the faces that grew blurry yet were recalled one by one, a complicated emotion swelling in his heart.
He had similarly complex feelings about No.1 High School.
It was the place where he had exerted his utmost youth, full of passion and regret.
Thankfully, he had finally gained the ability to make up for regrets.
He slowly closed his eyes, the whole world quieting down.
Before him, the girl in the blue and white school uniform appeared again, her hair tied in a neat high ponytail with bangs.
She would tilt her head, gently tapping his forehead with her pen, scolding him softly, “Silly Xiao Song.”
Then patiently explaining complex physics problems over and over again.
Even through the hazy years, he seemed to still smell the clean scent of her mixed faint shampoo and chalk dust under the sun.
That was the scent of his entire youth.