novelraw Chapter 636: Boyfriend, Girlfriend
Chapter 636: Boyfriend, Girlfriend
Chapter 636: Boyfriend, GirlfriendNight had long since fallen.
In Unit 501, Building 8, Yun Jing Tai community, the spacious and bright living room was warm and cozy.
The television was playing the evening news, but Tang Jianying and Xu Feng both seemed distracted.
“Can you call again and ask when our son will be back?”
“Why rush?” Xu Feng gave him a sharp look. “Xiao Song runs such a big company in Yancheng. He’s definitely busy to the point of exhaustion every day. Let’s not bother him. If he said he’d be back today, he definitely will be.”
Though she said that, she couldn’t help but send a message to Tang Song herself.
*Chatter—*
[Tang Song: Just finished work, should be home around eight.]
Xu Feng quickly replied, “No rush. Eat first, then come over. Be safe on the road and dress warmly;
it’s cold.”
After sending the message, the couple finally felt at ease. Tang Jianying sighed, “A few days ago, when I went back home to tidy up, Sister Guo’s niece again mentioned how popular Xiao Song’s ‘Songmei Apparel’ is now. Seems like he’s even started his own fashion line. She even wanted me to ask if the company needed more people.”
Xu Feng snorted lightly, “Heh, anyone can see that niece has a crush on our son. Speaking of which, our son’s market value is really good now. He’s been approached by no shortage of matchmakers recently. But Xiao Song is already 27, successful in his career, owns a house—it’s time he starts thinking about settling down.”
Since they moved to this upscale community, news of Tang Yi’s fortune from e-commerce live streaming had already spread among relatives and friends.
Aside from a few people subtly trying to get involved in his business or arrange jobs, the least of their worries was matchmaking.
Wang Zhigang nodded, then suddenly asked, “He said, what about your relationship with Bian Qingning? Is there no hope yet?”
“Ah…” Bian Gang sighed and turned off the TV. “Next time I come back, you can ask around subtly. I can only say, looks like it’s too optimistic.”
Wang Zhigang’s face was full of disappointment and regret.
They truly detested that girl, Tang Songning.
Pretty, smart, sensible, outstanding—she wasn’t some random kid;
she was the county’s top scholar from the college entrance exams.
Her relationship with their son was so bad that there were flaws in every aspect.
But she wasn’t too outstanding;
otherwise, she could have ended up with Tang Yi.
They all knew about their son’s desire to study in the Imperial Capital for graduate school and what it was for.
Because of family affairs, he was delayed, and the gap between him and Tang Songning kept shrinking. They felt guilty about it.
Now that Tang Yi’s career was finally taking off, the old couple naturally raised those thoughts again.
“Wait until Da Song is back, and then you can ask more carefully to find out the real situation,” they resolved in Yancheng.
Just then,
*Ding-dong—*
The video doorbell suddenly rang.
“See who it is,” Bian Gang said as he walked to the entrance.
He immediately saw an unfamiliar face on the screen.
“It’s Qing Ning!”
Hearing that name, Xu Feng practically jumped off the sofa and hurried over.
“Auntie, Uncle, good evening.”
On the screen, Liu Qingning stood lively at the unit door, wrapped in a thick coat, wearing a sweet smile.
“Oh, Qing Ning, why didn’t you say you were coming!”
Xu Feng spoke as she quickly pressed the unlock button.
Within minutes, the elevator arrived.
Liu Qingning appeared before them, pulling a silver suitcase.
The early winter night was near freezing, and her cute face was rosy red like a ripe apple from the cold.
Xu Feng hurried forward, warmly grabbing her icy hand and pulling her inside.
“Oh, come in and warm up!”
Tang Jianying stared at the suitcase by her feet. “Qing Ning, why are you still carrying a suitcase? Did you just…”
Liu Qingning smiled and explained, “Yeah, I just got back from Shencheng, just arrived in Jing County.”
“Ah? You haven’t gone home yet?!” Xu Feng was stunned.
Qing Ning shook her head with an air of certainty, “No, my home is by the South Ring Road. I happened to be passing by here, so I thought I’d come visit you first. Oh, by the way, I brought some gifts for you.” 𝐑âＮɵＢЕŚ
Tang Jianying and Xu Feng exchanged glances, both a little confused by this move.
Qing Ning casually set down her suitcase, opened it, and took out several carefully prepared gift boxes.
“Uncle, this is tea for you. Auntie, I brought back bird’s nest and a set of anti-aging skincare products from Shencheng. They work really well;
you have to try them.”
“Th-this… Qing Ning, you come and bring gifts like this!”
Xu Feng quickly waved her hand, overwhelmed by the sudden warmth and feeling a little dizzy.
Though Qing Ning often visited before and behaved politely and sensibly, this time was completely different.
She just returned to Jing County, hadn’t even gone home, and already came straight to their house with a whole suitcase of gifts.
Qing Ning beamed as she pressed the gifts into Xu Feng’s hands, “Oh, don’t refuse. It’s just a little token from me as your junior. Besides, it saves me from being called stingy and inconsiderate by Tang Song later.”
Xu Feng’s heart skipped a beat, seemingly realizing something.
Her face immediately blossomed with a warm, affectionate smile. “Sit down, sit down! You must be exhausted from coming all this way. Have you eaten? Jianying, go pour Qing Ning a cup of hot water!”
“I ate on the plane.”
Qing Ning sat obediently on the sofa, warming her hands on the hot water, naturally chatting with them.
The topic shifted from her work in Shencheng to Xu Feng’s health.
She held Xu Feng’s hand, expressing care and concern with an intimacy that was even more touching than a daughter’s.
Seventy minutes ago
*Ring-ring-ring—* The phone suddenly rang.
Qing Ning glanced at the screen, stood up, and answered, “Hello, Dad.”
“I’ve arrived in Jing County and will be home soon.”
“I already ate.”
After hanging up, Qing Ning turned with an apologetic smile. “Uncle, Auntie, I have to head home now.”
Xu Feng looked at the wall clock. “Why not stay a bit longer? Xiao Song should be home around eight.”
“No, my dad is urging me. When Tang Song is back, he can come find me. We’re not far apart anyway, both in the county.”
Xu Feng hesitated but finally asked a question she had held inside for a long time: “Qing Ning, did you two plan to come back together?”
Qing Ning’s cheeks instantly flushed, and she shyly said, “Yeah… tomorrow is my birthday. He was supposed to fly to Shencheng to be with me, but I was worried the round trip would be too tiring, so we agreed to celebrate together here at home.”
Hearing this, both Xu Feng and Tang Jianying’s hearts skipped a beat.
Xu Feng took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly. “Qing Ning, so you and Xiao Song, you two are…”
Qing Ning’s face showed surprise and confusion. “Huh? Didn’t Tang Song tell you? We… we have been together for months.”
Tang Jianying and Xu Feng exchanged glances, both seeing indescribable joy in the other’s eyes.
Happiness came so suddenly!
“Oh my!” Xu Feng excitedly slapped her thigh, her voice rising a few tones. “That brat! Such a big thing and he kept it from us! When he gets back, I’m going to have a good talk with him!”
Qing Ning covered her mouth and laughed softly, “I’ll head home now, no need to see me off.”
Though she said so, Xu Feng still personally escorted Liu Qingning to the community gate.
Her warmth and affection almost melted her.
Getting into a taxi, Liu Qingning exhaled deeply, clasping her hands in front of her, trying to calm her wildly beating heart.
Though she appeared composed and proper, inside she was nervous, wistful, and filled with indescribable shyness.
Her choice to spend her birthday back home was originally planned with this in mind, but not so soon or so urgently.
In the end, it was the suffocating pressure brought by Jin Meixiao and Su Yu.
So not only did she have to “conquer” Tang Song’s parents, but also needed to come clean with her own parents.
Last Mid-Autumn Festival, her parents came to Shencheng for a trip.
Because she was still hesitant about the complicated relationship then and hadn’t fully accepted it herself, she didn’t confess about Tang Song.
After all, both families knew each other, and once the truth was out, many things could spiral out of control.
The seaside apartment in Shencheng Bay No. 1 she stayed in was only described as a friend’s place where she temporarily stayed to entertain them.
She hadn’t even told her parents about her work at Qingning Technology.
But now it was different. It was time to make a clear statement.
Outside the car window, the familiar yet slightly strange night scene of the county town slowly receded.
Those familiar buildings and shop signs were like a rapidly flipped old photo album, bringing back scenes from the past.
Her gaze became slightly absent-minded.
*Ding-dong—* A WeChat notification sounded.
[Tang Song: Why did you suddenly go to my house? My mom just called me and went on and on.]
Qing Ning quickly came to her senses and pressed her lips tightly, replying, “What? You’re not happy?”
[Tang Song: No, I saw the gifts you brought my parents. Thank you, my dear girlfriend (#kiss).]
Qing Ning couldn’t help but smile and sent a sticker.
Then she typed again, “Where are you now?”
[Tang Song: Almost in Quancheng.]
Qing Ning: “I went to Jing County, but I haven’t gone home yet, just came to see uncle and aunt. Shouldn’t someone show some attention too?”
[Tang Song: Wait for my call.]
Qing Ning smiled and put away her phone.
Just then, the taxi driver said, “Miss, the Kuangjian community is here.”
Qing Ning pointed forward, “Driver, please drop me off downstairs. I’ll guide you from there.”
“All right.”
The car passed through the weathered North Gate and entered this somewhat dilapidated community.
Kuangjian community was a unit-built housing area by the Quancheng Mining Construction Company, a typical old neighborhood from the 1990s.
The buildings were no taller than four floors, the interiors shabby, with no standardized property management.
Liu Xueming, Qing Ning’s father, was an employee there, working as an accountant.
When she was in sixth grade, her father used connections and money to transfer from the town’s coal mine to the county. Their family moved into this community as a result.
She therefore left the elementary school where Tang Song was.
Back then, she didn’t feel anything special about him, only seeing him as a somewhat childish childhood playmate.
Years later, after graduating from middle school, their unexpected encounter—the shy young boy with rosy lips and white teeth riding a bike—and the dramatic reunion in high school, created a different story between them.
Soon, the taxi stopped outside Unit 3, Building 7.
Qing Ning paid the fare and, just as she got out, she saw a familiar figure waiting downstairs.
“Qing Ning, you’re back.” Liu Xueming hurried over and took the suitcase from the trunk.
“Dad, it’s so cold outside. Why are you standing here?”
“Just came out for a smoke;
it’s too stuffy inside.”
“Smoke less, your lungs aren’t good.”
“Got it, got it,” Liu Xueming said with a smile.
They talked as they walked into Apartment 03 on the first floor.
A warm scent of cooking and everyday life greeted them, dispelling all the cold.
The house was small, only about sixty square meters, with decor from over a decade ago, carrying the simple style of that era.
But it was tidy and full of a homely warmth.
Qing Ning’s mother, Zhang Yunlan, came out of the kitchen holding a steaming plate of dumplings.
Seeing her, her smile immediately blossomed. “Qing Ning! Come quickly, the dumplings just came out of the pot. Your favorite zucchini and egg filling!”
“Mom, I already said I ate. Why bother?”
“Coming all the way from Shencheng, you can’t not eat some home cooking!”
Qing Ning took off her thick coat, grabbed chopsticks, and sat by the small tea table.
She picked up a plump white dumpling, blew on it gently, then took a small bite.
The fresh zucchini had a hint of sweetness, mixed with the fragrant fried egg and familiar sesame oil aroma, instantly blooming on her taste buds.
A smile naturally appeared on Qing Ning’s face.
Zhang Yunlan and Liu Xueming sat across from her, their eyes full of joy as they asked about her new job and life.
They knew she had left Century Zhixue and jumped to Qingning Technology, a company with a name closely related to hers, but they didn’t know much else.
However, they had always been proud and reassured by their daughter since she was young.
Since they had already eaten dinner, Qing Ning only had four or five dumplings before stopping.
*Ring-ring-ring—*
A sudden phone ring broke the warm atmosphere at the table.
Seeing the name flashing on the screen, Qing Ning quickly put down her chopsticks.
Wiping her mouth, she answered.
“Hello? Teacher Wang.”
“Qing Ning, are you busy? Sorry to bother you,” came the gentle, familiar voice of Professor Wang Chang.
“Not busy. Teacher Wang, I took the day off and just returned to Jing County.”
“Heh, tomorrow’s your birthday. It’s time to celebrate at home.” Wang Chang paused, took a deep breath as if to steady his emotions, then said seriously, “Qing Ning, I have something important to tell you. This afternoon, I officially submitted a leave of absence without pay to the school.”
Qing Ning’s heart skipped a beat. “Teacher Wang! You’re leaving Imperial Capital University?”
They had a mentor-student relationship for many years, and he had helped her a lot. She respected him deeply.
“Not leaving.” Wang Chang’s voice was full of laughter and anticipation. “I received an offer I can’t refuse. Tang Yi Precision formally invited me to join the ‘Xuanji Optical World’ project as the deputy director of the soon-to-be-established AI Research Institute, mainly responsible for university cooperation and cutting-edge project incubation.”
He paused, full of pride for his accomplished student. “Qing Ning, I heard the institute prioritized me because of our mentor-student relationship. Teacher... thank you.”
Qing Ning was moved and quickly replied, “Teacher Wang, you’re too kind. I haven’t done much.”
“All right, just telling you. Looking forward to our cooperation.”
They chatted a bit more before hanging up.
Qing Ning’s gaze grew thoughtful.
Tang Yi Precision... my connection...
Could it be... Su Yu?
Just then, Zhang Yunlan asked with concern, “Qing Ning, was that Professor Wang? Is she leaving Imperial Capital University?”
“No, Teacher Wang is going to work at a company and will cooperate more deeply with me in the future.”
“Oh, that’s great news!”
Qing Ning nodded absentmindedly, her mind racing.
Liu Xueming sighed, “Your Professor Wang is a good person. She’s helped you a lot since college. When you went to Shencheng, she even chatted with us several times to ease our worries and urged us to support your career.”
Hearing this, Qing Ning suddenly looked up sharply at her mother. “By the way, Mom, before I went to Shencheng, did you say anything to Tang Song?”
Zhang Yunlan avoided her gaze. “No, what could I say to Tang Song?”
“You definitely did,” Qing Ning said firmly. “You told him to support me going to Shencheng with the company and not to hold me back, right?”
She was very perceptive.
Last year in the Imperial Capital, when Tang Song heard Century Zhixue was moving to Shencheng, he was reluctant and worried.
Then suddenly, he started fully supporting her, and she left the Imperial Capital to return to Yancheng.
Since then, her family stopped discussing her relationship with Tang Song.
She guessed why but wanted to focus on her career and cash out quickly to buy a house in Yancheng, so she didn’t expose it.
Zhang Yunlan’s expression changed as she admitted, “It’s true! Your company had just signed a big deal and was about to make a lot of money. I was afraid you’d miss a good opportunity.”
“Did Teacher Wang ask you to persuade me?”
“Huh? No. Your professor just analyzed the pros and cons for us.”
Hearing this, Qing Ning’s eyes trembled slightly, seemingly understanding something.
Since Su Yu could intervene in Century Zhixue’s angel round, she naturally influenced Professor Wang.
And Professor Wang influenced her parents. One link after another...
Su Yu, you’re really scheming!
Seeing her daughter’s silence, Zhang Yunlan cautiously said, “Qing Ning, you’re doing well now...”
Qing Ning looked up calmly, “There’s something I haven’t told you. Tang Song and I are together. He’s my boyfriend now.”
“Ah? Since when?!” Zhang Yunlan and Liu Xueming asked simultaneously but without much surprise.
They had complicated feelings about Tang Song.
They knew his background and knew he was sincere to their daughter.
If Qing Ning’s career wasn’t so important, they wouldn’t have been so harsh.
Later, they heard Tang Song was doing well with a live streaming company in Yancheng, driving a Mercedes-Benz, and even bought a Yun Jing Tai apartment fully for his parents. They had prepared themselves mentally.
“For several months now,” Qing Ning said seriously. “He’ll be coming to Jing County soon and will visit us.”
“Ah! I’ll cut some fruit,” Zhang Yunlan said, hurrying to the fridge. “Xueming, make some tea.”
The couple quickly busied themselves.
Just then,
*Knock knock knock—*
The door suddenly knocked.
Liu Xueming got up to open the door, his expression tightening. “Secretary Wang? What brings you here?”
At the door stood Wang Zhigang, the party official of Quancheng Mining Construction Company’s Jing County branch.
Beside him was a tall, spirited young man.
Wang Zhigang smiled and walked in, “Xueming, I heard your daughter Qing Ning is back? She’s home, right?”
“Yes, yes, Secretary Wang, please come in!”
Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan were flattered and quickly welcomed them inside.
“Secretary Wang.” Qing Ning stood from the sofa and saw the young man behind, nodding, “Zhou Hao?”
“Long time no see, Qing Ning,” Zhou Hao’s eyes brightened the moment he saw her. “You’re still as beautiful as in high school.”
“You know each other?” Liu Xueming was curious.
Qing Ning nodded, “Yes, he was my high school classmate.”
Zhou Hao was a prominent figure in high school, ranking top academically, though he was a liberal arts student.
They had encountered each other many times in school events and ceremonies but hadn’t contacted much for years.
Secretary Wang chuckled, “Zhou Hao is my nephew. He’s an outstanding alumnus of our school and came back for the 50th anniversary celebration. He insisted on coming here tonight to see you when he heard Qing Ning was back. Oh, and I’m also invited to the celebration.”
Jing County No. 1 High School was the best local high school, established over fifty years ago with countless successful alumni.
Wang Zhigang himself graduated from there, and as the head of a local state-owned enterprise branch, receiving the invitation was natural.
“Oh, what a coincidence! Come, come, Secretary Wang, Zhou Hao, have some tea.”
Liu Xueming hurriedly invited them to sit, pouring tea and pushing fruit plates.
Though he worked at the mining company for over twenty years, he was just an ordinary accountant without connections.
Someone as powerful as Wang Zhigang rarely spoke much at work but had personally come to visit.
He naturally showed utmost enthusiasm in hosting.
“Thank you, Uncle Liu,” Zhou Hao said politely, his gaze fixed admiringly on Qing Ning.
Compared to the somewhat awkward but pretty campus belle of high school, Qing Ning now was much more mature.
The youthful innocence was gone, replaced by a unique confidence born of wisdom and independence.
Combined with her pure, cute face and alluring figure, the contrast was striking and irresistibly charming.
In high school, Qing Ning was extremely popular;
many boys at the school had feelings for her.
But she seemed always to have only Tang Song by her side, maintaining polite, ordinary classmate relations with others.
Noticing Zhou Hao’s too-obvious gaze, Qing Ning slightly furrowed her brows and subtly shifted inward on the sofa.
Zhou Hao smiled unconcernedly, as if just admiring an old friend after a long time.
They chatted warmly in the living room about the school’s 50th anniversary celebration and the officials and alumni attending.
Liu Xueming sat upright nervously, trying to smile and keep pace.
Zhang Yunlan busied herself, cutting fruit and brewing fresh tea, worried about every detail.
After more than ten minutes, the topic naturally turned to classmates’ current situations.
Liu Xueming asked, “Where does Zhou Hao work now?”
Before Zhou Hao could speak, Wang Zhigang chuckled, “Xiao Hao is a homebody. After graduating from Zhejiang University, he joined Quancheng Heavy Industry’s general management office through a management trainee program. Now he’s a senior business supervisor in his department.”
Liu Xueming’s heart skipped, “That’s impressive, such a young senior supervisor in the general management office.”
Zhang Yunlan quickly praised him sincerely.
Quancheng Heavy Industry was the local leading state-owned enterprise, a pillar industry and largest taxpayer.
Their mining company’s business depended heavily on this giant.
The general management office was the group’s nerve center;
being a supervisor there made Zhou Hao a true standout.
No wonder he was invited as an outstanding alumnus to the celebration.
Qing Ning smiled politely but didn’t react much.
Zhou Hao turned the topic naturally to her with just the right concern, “Qing Ning, I heard you started your own business in cutting-edge AI?”
“Yes.”
“That’s great;
AI is the biggest trend now.” Zhou Hao nodded. “Our group is also actively pursuing intelligent transformation, and I’m involved. What’s your company’s focus? Maybe we can cooperate in the future.”
Wang Zhigang also smiled and added, “Right, right, outstanding young people and schoolmates should exchange more.”
Watching the two chat harmoniously, Qing Ning smiled, “I was with a startup but jumped to Qingning Technology a few months ago.”
“Qingning Technology?” Zhou Hao was stunned at first but quickly caught on, eyes flashing with surprise.
Wang Zhigang said, “I’ve heard of that company. It’s a unicorn in China’s AI field, especially with Qingmi AI. Many young people in our company use it.”
As the head of a company, he naturally followed major domestic news.
He was far from unaware of a company at Qingning Technology’s level.
Liu Xueming proudly said, “Yes, that’s the company.”
“Gotta say, the name suits Qing Ning well,” Zhou Hao joked. “Startups are risky and uncertain. Getting into a giant supported by Tang Yi Precision and Smile Holdings is better for development.”
Wang Zhigang nodded and casually asked, “A top internet company in a first-tier city must pay well. I heard they offer over a million yearly salary for outstanding fresh PhDs. You must be making tens of thousands a month, right?”
At this question, Zhou Hao, Liu Xueming, and Zhang Yunlan all instinctively looked at her.
They had asked before but Qing Ning was vague, saying only after probation would it be certain.
Now nearly three months in, they were planning to ask again.
Faced with their curious eyes, Qing Ning suddenly broke into a bright, slightly mischievous smile.
“Not bad. I currently have a pre-tax annual salary of about six million yuan, plus some stock options.”
...
...
...
The living room instantly fell into complete silence.
Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan gaped in shock, dumbfounded, thinking they misheard.
Zhou Hao’s smile froze as if shattered on the spot.
Wang Zhigang froze mid-air with his teacup.
His face rapidly shifted from shock to doubt, then to subtle scrutiny. After a moment, he spoke:
“This… Qing Ning, you’re not joking, right?”
“No,” Qing Ning smiled, blinking. “You know, the AI industry is fiercely competitive. To keep core talent, the company offers very generous salaries and incentives.”
She paused, smiling slyly, “Of course, the main reason is your girlfriend has influence at Qingning Technology. I helped get you into the company and even got the board to approve a better salary and position.”
Her casual words were packed with incredible information.
Like a loud bomb, they stirred up a huge wave in the minds of the seven people in the living room.
Six million a year? Boyfriend? Influence?
Because their daughter worked at Qingning Technology, Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan had researched the company.
They knew it was a genuine world-class unicorn enterprise.
And their daughter’s boyfriend was undoubtedly Tang Song.
But... how could Tang Song have influence at Qingning Technology and help her get in?
What was going on?!
It wasn’t that they didn’t trust their daughter;
it was just too unbelievable.
Zhou Hao struggled to ask, “Qing Ning, you’re serious? And your boyfriend is...?”
Just then,
*Ring-ring-ring—* The phone rang again.
Qing Ning glanced at the screen, smiling as she answered, “Hello? Tang Song.”
“...Yeah, I’m home. You’re already in the community? Do you know how to get here? Need me to pick you up?”
“All right, all right, I’ll wait for you.”
After hanging up, Qing Ning smiled at Zhou Hao, “Who else? It’s Tang Song;
you should know him. Coincidentally, he’s arriving soon.”
She stood and looked through the glass at the slightly rundown community street outside.
Being on the first floor with lights outside, the scene was clearly visible.
The four people inside also instinctively turned to look out the window.
Moments later, two blindingly bright headlights swept over, lighting the square before the building like daylight.
A sleek, black, somber car, incongruous with the surroundings, slowly approached and stopped at the unit entrance.
The iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament glittered under the lights.
Everyone recognized the prestigious Rolls-Royce immediately.
The driver’s door opened, and a sharply dressed woman in a black suit stepped out.
She briskly walked to the rear, bent slightly, and opened the coach-style rear door.
The next second, a handsome figure stepped out.
He lifted his head, glanced toward the window, his jet-black hair sweeping over his noble eyebrows, a gentle smile on his face.
Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan stared in disbelief, mouths agape.
Is this... Tang Song?!
Zhou Hao stared dumbfounded at the familiar yet strangely different figure, feeling numb all over.
As Qing Ning’s former “rumored boyfriend,” Tang Song was well-known among their high school class.
Though he didn’t inquire deeply, Zhou Hao had a general idea of Tang Song’s “current situation” from chatting with alumni during the celebration.
He had a normal college degree and seemingly an unremarkable career.
But the man stepping down from the Rolls-Royce, radiating a strong aura, was completely different from rumors!
While they were dazed, the female driver had already taken several exquisitely wrapped gift boxes from the trunk and respectfully handed them to Tang Song.
He accepted them, nodded toward Qing Ning inside the window, then disappeared into the building entrance.
Qing Ning quickly approached the door, took a deep breath, and opened it.
Almost simultaneously, steady footsteps approached, and Tang Song appeared at the doorway.
Under the light, he looked spirited and handsome, carrying a fresh aura after coming in from the cold outdoors.
Qing Ning playfully winked at him, then turned and called into the room brightly, “Dad, Mom, Tang Song is here.”
“Uncle, Auntie,” Tang Song’s voice was warm and magnetic, his face wearing a perfectly gentle smile. “Coming so late, I hope I’m not disturbing you?”
Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan finally woke from their daze, their eyes full of indescribable shock.
“Oh no, not at all!” Zhang Yunlan was the first to recover and hurried forward, almost flustered. “Come in! Sit down!”
Liu Xueming stood stiffly, looking at this young man completely unlike the memory, mouth opening and closing, finally stammering, “Xiao Song, sit, have some hot tea.”
He then fumbled nervously for cups.
Tang Song placed the gifts on the entrance cabinet, glanced over Zhou Hao and Wang Zhigang in the living room, showing no surprise or curiosity, only politely nodding.
Wang Zhigang, a seasoned state official and branch leader, instinctively stood up the moment Tang Song’s gaze met his.
His face forced a formal smile.
His mind raced, linking this young man, the Rolls-Royce, the female driver, and Qing Ning’s “six million salary” words to quickly assess his true weight.
Zhou Hao opened his mouth to greet but was brushed off by Tang Song’s glance.
He could only awkwardly stand there, confused about the situation.
However, he still couldn’t believe Qing Ning’s words.
Coming to his senses, Liu Xueming took the initiative, “Xiao Song, let me introduce you. This is Secretary Wang from our company. This is his nephew, Zhou Hao, also your high school classmate. He’s here for the school celebration and came to visit.”
“Good evening, Secretary Wang, Zhou Hao,” Tang Song greeted politely.
Zhou Hao pursed his lips, about to speak.
But Wang Zhigang suddenly smiled and said, “Xueming, look at this… Qing Ning’s boyfriend is here. It’s inappropriate for us outsiders to stay. We’ll leave first and chat later. Sorry to bother you.”
He glanced at Zhou Hao, signaling him.
He had come to play matchmaker, hoping to set up his nephew with Qing Ning.
But now the official boyfriend was here, and the situation looked serious.
They couldn’t risk saying the wrong thing and causing trouble.
Zhou Hao swallowed and looked at Tang Song and Qing Ning, then said goodbye.
Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan quickly got up to see them out.
After sending off the “uninvited guests,”
Tang Song smiled at the somewhat tense Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan, “Uncle, Auntie, don’t be so formal. It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“All good, all good.”
Qing Ning looked at her parents, “Enough, you two don’t have to be so nervous. It feels like you’re interrogating a criminal.”
Only then did Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan realize and smile sheepishly.
They chatted a bit more in the living room, but the atmosphere remained tense from the huge shock.
Eventually, Zhang Yunlan couldn’t help but ask tentatively, “Qing Ning, those things you told Secretary Wang and the others... are they true or false?”
They were still overwhelmed by the “six million salary” shock and hadn’t recovered.
Tang Song glanced at the Bai Yueguang beside him with curiosity.
Qing Ning winked at him playfully and explained, “I’ve been officially employed for three months now. I just told Mom and Dad my salary, and it scared them.”
Tang Song understood immediately, chuckling and shaking his head. “I thought you told them long ago.”
“It wasn’t certain before,” Qing Ning said with a meaning only the two of them understood.
She had told Tang Song that once she was sure of her feelings and overcame her inner barrier, she would tell him.
“Xiao Song…” Zhang Yunlan finally summoned courage and asked him directly, “Qing Ning said you helped arrange her current job?”
Tang Song glanced at Bai Yueguang’s mischievous eyes and seemed to understand.
He nodded knowingly, “Sort of. I have some shares in Qingning Technology. Qing Ning is strong in AI, so I recommended her.”
Just then, Qing Ning added with a half-boastful tone, “I never told you before, but that big flat you stayed in last time in Shencheng Bay No. 1 was also Tang Song’s. He let me live there.”
Liu Xueming and Zhang Yunlan were stunned by these two pieces of news, staring blankly at the familiar yet strange Tang Song.
A shareholder of Qingning Technology?! A property in Shencheng Bay No. 1?!
Looking at her parents’ utterly shocked expressions, Qing Ning felt a complex and strange emotion.
She knew her parents well.
They loved and were proud of her, but at their core were ordinary Huaxia parents, influenced by worldly eyes and real pressures.
Especially since she had said some unpleasant things to Tang Yi privately afterward, Tang Song might harbor some grievances.
So today was her chance to help her boyfriend “return home in glory.”
To refresh her parents’ old perceptions of him and serve as a small “revenge” for the grievances he had suffered.
Of course, it was also to gain her parents’ firm approval of their relationship.
She wanted to use the approval and close connection of both families as the heaviest weight in this precarious relationship.
After all, facing Su Yu and Jin Meixiao, she didn’t have many advantages.