novelraw Chapter 726: Romantic Scenes
Chapter 726: Romantic Scenes
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Handan, Shangqian Village.
6:30 AM, the sky still dark.
The small village on the Southern Hebei Plain was completely silent, with only occasional sporadic barks from distant dogs making the winter dawn feel even colder.
Qian Lele woke up from her sleep right on time.
Without any hesitation to stay in bed, she swiftly put on the thick clothes covering her quilt and walked out of her small bedroom.
First, she stretched her limbs in the frost-covered courtyard, did a few stretches, completely driving away the last traces of sleepiness from her body.
In the main room, the honeycomb coal stove was puffing out hot air, but because the old house had no insulation, the actual temperature inside remained very low.
Her father Qian Yong was already up, leaning on his worn-smooth cane, stubbornly and slowly doing rehabilitation walking around the room.
"Dad, you're up.""Lele... wh-why so early again? Why not sleep a bit more?"
Due to having suffered a cerebral infarction, Qian Yong's speech was very unclear and slurred, but Lele could understand him.
"Slept enough, not tired."
Lele smiled, quickly stepped forward, skillfully took the fire tongs, helped her father clean out the burned coal ash from the stove, then carefully added several new pieces of coal.
The sky remained heavily ink-colored.
Over the next hour, she began efficiently bustling about like a tireless spinning top.
First, she went to the faucet wrapped tightly with old quilts and filled two large basins with water, mixing in hot water to adjust the temperature.
Then she vigorously scrubbed the family's clothes in the cramped bathroom, used the ancient twin-tub washing machine to spin them dry, and finally hung each piece of clothing on the frozen-stiff clothesline in the courtyard.
Icy steam rose up, quickly forming a fine layer of white frost on her bangs and eyebrows.
She just breathed out white puffs, rubbed her somewhat frozen and swollen red hands, then turned to continue with the next task.
Kneading dough, chopping vegetables, cooking porridge...
Soon, a steaming hot homemade breakfast was freshly prepared by her hands.
At the dining table, the family of three sat together.
Mother Zhang Guifang looked at her daughter's somewhat chapped hands, her heart aching unbearably.
"You child, never idle when you come back. In this freezing weather, that water is like ice shards, look what it's done to your hands."
"It's fine, Mom, it's not like I do this every day."
Qian Lele smiled with curved eyes, picked up a piece of prepared food she had brought back, put it in her mother's bowl, then served her father a bowl of piping hot porridge.
She comforted them in a light, cheerful tone:
"I bought those fleece-lined washing gloves online, the delivery will arrive in a couple days, you can use them then."
"Besides, I sit looking at the computer all day at school, it's good to come back and move around a bit."
Then she began enthusiastically talking about her life in Yancheng, specifically choosing the good parts.
She said Professor Jiang treated her very well, brought her into an amazing laboratory, giving her the chance to access cutting-edge AI technology.
She proudly told her parents she could now earn four thousand five hundred yuan a month, so they didn't need to worry about her, and she could cover more than half of the household expenses in the future.
Her parents listened feeling both comforted and heartbroken, their eyes somewhat red.
After finishing the meal and taking care of her father lying down to rest.
Qian Lele mysteriously pulled her mother Zhang Guifang's arm, "Mom, come, I'll take you to a good place."
"Where to in this cold weather?"
"Ah, you'll know when we get there!"
She helped her mother put on a thick scarf and wool hat, and the two went out together.
First riding the family's old electric bike to the village entrance, then taking the bus that came every half hour, swaying for over twenty minutes, they finally arrived at the county's bus station.
The streets were bustling with people, horn sounds and vendor calls rising and falling, filled with the unique noise and liveliness of a small county town.
She led her mother, walked another ten-plus minutes, and finally stopped in front of a shop with a sign reading "Zhengpeng Vehicle Shop."
"Lele, why did you bring me here? Buying an electric bike? Ours still works."
Zhang Guifang looked puzzled.
Qian Lele didn't answer, her face filled with barely contained excitement, pulling her inside.
She clearly wasn't here for the first time, familiarly finding the owner who was repairing a bike.
The owner greeted her with a smile: "Pretty girl, you're here, the vehicle is ready for you, in the backyard."
"Let's go, Mom."
The owner led the mother and daughter through the shop filled with various electric bike models, arriving at the backyard.
Zhang Guifang followed her daughter's excited gaze and immediately spotted the "big guy" parked in the corner.
It was a brand new electric tricycle, painted in a striking royal blue.
The rear cargo bed had been carefully converted into a small stall with a canopy and stainless steel counter.
On it, brand new dough mixer, griddle, dual-burner gas stove, and other equipment were all available, all wiped clean and shiny.
Gleaming with brand-new brilliance under the winter sun.
Qian Lele excitedly ran forward, introducing it to her mother as if presenting a rare treasure:
"Mom! Look quickly, this is my gift to you."
"The vehicle is new, I had the owner reinforce and refurbish the brakes and battery, very safe."
"This set of roujiamo machines I also bought second-hand, but they all work well, I tested them myself, they look just like new!"
"Later we'll prepare a large iron pot for stewing meat, and you can start business directly!"
"Mom, younger brother is in his first year of high school now, your roujiamo is so delicious, you can set up a stall at the county high school entrance, and also look after him."
Zhang Guifang stared blankly at the brand new tricycle before her, then looked at her daughter beside her.
Scalding tears uncontrollably gushed out.
"Mom, why are you crying? Try the vehicle first."
Qian Lele looked at her crying mother, her own eyes turning red, but she still smiled, giving her a big hug.
Her clear eyes sparkled with anticipation for the future.
In her heart, she had already clearly outlined an incredibly beautiful picture.
Mom guarding this warm little stall, Dad's health a bit better, helping out on the side.
And her in Yancheng, studying hard, working hard to earn money...
Life would definitely get better bit by bit.
Having properly arranged everything she wanted to do at home, she was returning to Yancheng today.
Qian Lele clenched her fist, the task Brother entrusted must be completed seriously.
Professor Jiang, you must forgive me!
But honestly, regarding the matter of disciplining her own teacher, this consistently well-behaved and sensible Cinderella actually felt a little bit of a darkly expectant anticipation inside.
Right at this moment.
"Ding ling ling—" The phone rang.
Qian Lele quickly pulled her phone from her pocket.
[Sister Xiao Jing]
She immediately answered: "Hello? Sister Xiao Jing?"
"Lele little sister." Xiao Jing's clear, pleasant voice came from the other end, "I'm playing at Qianqian's house, just discussing what to eat for lunch. Do you want to come join us?"
"Sorry, Sister Xiao Jing, I returned to my hometown in Handan, I'm not in Yancheng."
"Ah? Okay, what a pity." Xiao Jing's tone was full of regret, "I was going to visit your school this afternoon, and by the way meet your legendary mature woman... ah no... beautiful professor teacher. By the way, when are you coming back?"
"That's great, send me the train number later, Sister will pick you up at the station, then we can go play at your school together."
Qian Lele hesitated for a moment, but ultimately agreed: "Okay, Sister Xiao Jing."
"Then it's settled! Byebye, be safe on the road~"
After hanging up.
Qian Lele softly let out a breath.
This Sister Xiao Jing is really such a good person.
Not only did she help Yaoyao get a job at Tang Entertainment, she always cares about me normally too.
Really a cute and kind-hearted rich young lady.
No wonder Brother likes her so much.
......
Yancheng, Yanjing Huating, Building 6.
Xiao Jing put down her phone, her clear eyes sparkling with burning, expectant light.
Oh hoh hoh~
New dungeon [Yanshi University] about to unlock!
Can unlock new character [Intellectual Mature Woman - Professor Jiang].
She had already gotten internal intelligence from Old Zheng (Zheng Qiudong).
This Professor Jiang Yourong was about to become the third assistant under Tang Song,
Moreover, Old Jiang was formerly a veteran under the Female Emperor - Director Jin.
Heh heh heh...
Qian Lele and Jiang Yourong are teacher and student, Lele is Tang Song's little sister, and Jiang Yourong is about to become Tang Song's assistant.
This intricate relationship web, this drama comparable to top-tier Japanese anime.
()
If she and Annie could also join in.
That would be absolutely fantastic.
Just as she was lost in thought.
A series of light, quick footsteps approached.
Xiao Jing looked up, first seeing a pair of straight, slender wineglass legs.
Zhao Yaqian wearing loungewear walked over, placing a plate of neatly cut fresh fruit salad in front of her.
In a charmingly naive tone, she said: "Xiao Jing, try this quickly, New Zealand kiwiberries, tiny ones, no need to peel, super sweet."
"Thank you, Qianqian." Xiao Jing responded sweetly, speared one with a silver fork, put it in her mouth, her eyes immediately curving into crescents, "Wow! Really delicious, where did you buy them?"
"Right at that premium fruit shop by our community's south gate."
Zhao Yaqian sat down beside her, the two leaning together like a pair of close friends, sharing snacks and gossip.
Xiao Jing ate while looking at Zhao Yaqian beside her with great interest.
Feeling it was very amusing.
Clearly so tall and gorgeous, with a hot figure, yet her personality is incredibly simple, this full contrast is so striking.
Because they live in the same community, and both are relatively free lately.
Xiao Jing would come over here whenever possible.
Back and forth, their relationship had indeed become much closer.
"Qianqian, you eat too." Xiao Jing picked up a plump red grape, intimately offering it to Zhao Yaqian's mouth.
Zhao Yaqian smiled and opened her mouth, naturally eating it.
Xiao Jing's heart suddenly jumped.
She couldn't help staring at the beautician's mouth, exclaiming in amazement: "Qianqian, you... you're so nimble when eating!"
Zhao Yaqian froze for a moment, her expression somewhat unnatural.
"R-really?"
"Yes! What other complex movements can you do?"
Xiao Jing leaned closer, like a curious baby.
Zhao Yaqian hesitated for a moment, then slightly parted her red lips.
Beginning to demonstrate her silver-tongued eloquence.
Xiao Jing's eyes instantly widened, a strange sensation shooting straight to the top of her head.
(0∞0n) !
Nani!
If.... if... we... also had... combination skills...
Sumimasen!
Xiao Jing felt her brain was about to burn out.
Softly, she said: "Qianqian, there's something on your mouth."
"Where?" Zhao Yaqian instinctively reached to touch it.
"Don't move, let me wipe it off for you."
Zhao Yaqian looked at her.
Immediately after, she felt Xiao Jing's face approach closer.
The beautician shuddered, eyes widening, "Xiao Jing, you—"
Xiao Jing said with curved eyes: "It's red grape juice, so sweet, can't let it go to waste."
Right at this moment.
"Bzzz bzzz bzzz~"
A rapid video call ringtone sounded.
On the screen flashed an ID that instantly brought Xiao Jing back to her senses.
[Anne Mentor].
She immediately stood up, said to the still somewhat dazed Zhao Yaqian "I'll take this call," then took her phone to the secluded balcony.
Took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, pressed the answer button.
The screen lit up, Anne Kate's stunningly beautiful, aggressively striking face appeared in the video.
She seemed to have just finished her makeup, sitting at a dressing table, using her phone's rear camera facing the mirror's reflection of herself.
Her gaze was lazy yet full of aggression.
Golden hair elegantly cascaded like ocean waves to one side, wearing a flesh-toned tight dress that vividly outlined her devilishly voluptuous and hot curves.
"Good morning, my dear student." Anne's voice carried a hoarse laughter.
Xiao Jing immediately switched to obedient "apprentice mode," sweetly greeting in fluent English: "Good morning, Anne Mentor! You look in great condition today."
"Of course." Anne adjusted the camera, making her devilish figure more prominent, emerald green eyes locking onto Xiao Jing on the screen like a hawk, "I called to tell you, I've already booked my ticket to Yancheng, arriving Thursday, you... come pick me up personally."
"Really?! That's great!" Xiao Jing's eyes instantly lit up.
"Don't celebrate too soon." Anne's lips curved into a dangerous arc, "I'm coming this time, on one hand to help you sort out the specific process for accessing the Tang Jin property system, on the other hand, also to personally check if you've been studying according to my requirements."
She paused, with a gaze that could penetrate the screen, said word by word:
"I hope you're prepared, Jane. Because my teaching will be very, very strict."
Hearing this, Xiao Jing wasn't scared at all, instead becoming more excited, nodding vigorously, "Please rest assured, Anne Mentor, I absolutely won't let you down! If I don't meet your requirements, you can punish me however you want."
"Very good." Anne seemed satisfied with her reaction, picked up a glass of green energy juice, then asked as if casually: "Where are you now? Not with Song, are you?"
"No."
"Good, remember my words, don't tell him about our matters."
"Mm, understood." Xiao Jing tightened her legs.
"Then that's it, bye."
"Bye."
After hanging up, Xiao Jing took a deep breath, an abnormal flush rising on her face.
It's finally coming!
The mare mentor arrives Thursday, the female celebrity Su Yu arrives Friday...
They all want to meet with me, want to get close.
Too bad Director Jin isn't in the country, otherwise, Yancheng would be so exciting!
Then, she turned her gaze to the beautician in the living room still eating salad, a sly curve lifting the corner of her mouth.
Next, it's about building good sisterly relations, seeing if she can get Qianqian to teach her French kissing.
Hehe, so interesting!
....
The bus shuttled through the city's veins, like a sluggish fish.
Early in the morning, before dawn, they had gotten up.
They made breakfast together, then went to the quiet Yancheng train station at dawn, watched the sunrise at the station square;
Then went to the nearby old bookstore, where she found a poetry collection she had long desired on the dust-covered shelves;
They also went to that commercial street in the university district, she pointed at a milk tea shop that had closed and changed its sign, smiling as she said she had worked there back then.
Every place carried her slightly gray past memories.
And his appearance was like a warm key, reopening those memory doors, letting sunlight shine in, dyeing them with bright colors.
For lunch, they didn't go to familiar small restaurants.
Instead, led by Tang Song, they came to a French Western restaurant located on the top floor of a downtown office building.
The restaurant had an elegant environment, soft jazz music flowing in the air.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the entire city's gray winter skyline.
Zhang Yan clearly had never been to such a place, looking at the three or four sets of knives and forks placed on the snow-white tablecloth before her, she felt momentarily at a loss.
She could only secretly observe Tang Song's movements from the corner of her eye, using whichever one he used.
Like an elementary student seriously imitating.
Noticing her restrained small movements, Tang Song stopped, began gently explaining to her the use of each utensil, the origin of each ingredient, like sharing interesting little stories.
"This is duck confit, a classic in French cuisine..."
Zhang Yan listened quietly, her tense shoulders finally relaxing bit by bit.
When the main course filet mignon was served, Tang Song pulled her plate over, cut it with knife and fork, then pushed it back to her.
Zhang Yan blushed and softly said "Thank you."
Picking up her fork, carefully spearing the first piece, she first offered it to Tang Song's mouth.
Only after seeing him eat it did she happily narrow her eyes, enjoying this lavish meal.
.....
After the meal, the two returned to the large flat at Yanjing Tiancheng.
Because she had slept very comfortably last night, Zhang Yan was full of energy today, without any afternoon drowsiness.
Tang Song simply pulled her to the media room, turned on the projector, handed her the remote.
Zhang Yan browsed through the extensive NAS library for a while, found the movie she wanted to watch.
A 1995 Studio Ghibli animation, about a young girl, dreams, libraries, antique shops, violins, and innocent first love.
The two sat side by side sinking into the wide, comfortable massage chairs.
The media room lights went out, only the screen's flickering light and shadows remained.
The movie's pace was slow, the music soothing, the atmosphere quiet and beautiful.
After a while, when Zhang Yan was absorbed in watching, Tang Song reached out and crooked his finger.
Zhang Yan turned her head puzzled, "What's wrong, Tang Song?"
"Oh, okay." Zhang Yan immediately paused the movie, stood up, walked over in the dark.
Opened the small fridge, found the ice-cold cola, carefully carried it back.
Bent down, gently handed it to him.
However, Tang Song directly grabbed her slender wrist.
With a suppressed low gasp, Zhang Yan plopped down onto his lap.
Her cheeks instantly became steaming hot, too nervous to move a muscle.
Tang Song took the icy cola from her hand, "click" opened it one-handed, brought it to her lips.
Zhang Yan, like an obedient puppet, instinctively opened her small mouth, took a sip.
The icy bubbles slid over her throat, soothing her throat that had dried from nervousness.
Such an intimate couple relationship made her whole body feel like she had a fever,
Her head buried even lower.
Tang Song gently rested his chin on her shoulder hollow, warm breath spraying on her neck, softly laughed: "Isn't watching movies like this more comfortable?"
She was really so light, so thin, her slender waist seemingly completely graspable with one hand.
Zhang Yan bit her lip, softly "Mm"ed.
Seeing her so obedient and cooperative, Tang Song picked up the remote, pressed play again.
In the dark media room, only the screen's flickering light and shadows remained.
In the movie, the heroine Shizuku was immersed in watching the male hero Seiji's focused expression as he made a violin.
On the sofa, breaths intertwined.
Her heart beat like the movie's soundtrack, fast and passionate.
The movie continued.
On screen, the plot reached the most classic scene.
In the antique shop "Earth Store"'s warm and fantastical attic.
The male hero Seiji played the violin he was making for the heroine Shizuku.
Melodious, slightly youthful violin music began.
Zhang Yan's eyes sparkled with moving light.
Right at this moment.
A tingling sensation came from her waist, Tang Song's fingers actually slipped under her sweater's hem, inside, his warm fingertips directly touching her smooth, delicate skin.
Zhang Yan's mouth slightly opened, breath catching, instinctively wanting to dodge.
Could only lower her head, letting the blush spread from her cheeks all the way to her earlobes.
Tang Song turned his head, kissed her cute earlobe, "You really like the violin?"
"I... mm..." Her voice carried a barely noticeable tremble, "Before... my friend Feifei often played this piece... very beautiful."
Feifei, the one she chats with in the group, Lin Feifei who owns the flower shop.
This "Whisper of the Heart" had always been her favorite movie.
She could always see her own shadow in that ordinary, dreamy, somewhat insecure yet incredibly hardworking heroine Shizuku.
She had also been like Shizuku, hiding in library corners, greedily reading stories of another world;
Had also silently worked hard for a distant figure, hoping to become a little better herself.
The violin piece "Country Road" ran throughout the movie carried many of her youthful memories, symbolizing all things beautiful, dreamy, and loving in her heart.
Just the fingers resting on her lower abdomen began faintly, subtly imitating the motion of drawing a bow on her delicate skin.
He hadn't heard this song before, but relying on his natural talent and memory, he had roughly memorized the melody and fingering.
The movie just like that slowly reached its end in a quiet yet incredibly ambiguous atmosphere.
Zhang Yan blushed, struggled to climb out of his embrace, whispered: "I, I need to use the restroom."
"Mm." Tang Song nodded, watching her somewhat flustered back quickly slip out of the media room.
Picked up his phone, searched for the "Country Road" violin score in the browser, began carefully browsing.
"Ding dong—" A crisp notification sound rang.
Zhang Yan's phone left on the sofa armrest lit up, a WeChat message popped up.
[Yueyue: "@Zhang Yan, don't forget our date tonight oh~ [wink]"]
Date?
Seeing these two words, Tang Song's eyebrows imperceptibly twitched.
He hesitated for a moment, ultimately couldn't resist curiosity.
Picked up her phone, unlocked it with fingerprint.
After all, Zhang Yan's new phone, from system to data transfer, was all handled by him, password, fingerprint, naturally all entered by him.
And Zhang Yan towards him was in a completely unguarded, extremely trusting state.
Immediately, new messages popped up.
[Lin Feifei: [photo.jpg]]
[Lin Feifei: "I've got everything arranged here, premium charcoal, wagyu beef, and my treasured beer! Just waiting for you two honored guests!"]
The photo was taken on what looked like a very exquisite two-story attic terrace.
String lights hung like stars from the ceiling shed, so romantic it was unbelievable.
Probably her two female classmates in Yancheng wanted to have a dinner gathering with her tonight.
He was about to put down the phone.
"Buzz buzz buzz—" The group started spamming again.
Lin Feifei sent several old photos from their university days, in classrooms, on sports fields, in front of libraries...
Tang Song opened one, couldn't help smiling.
In the photo, Zhang Yan looked to be around freshman or sophomore year, face still with some baby fat, short hair with straight bangs, wearing a simple white hoodie, leaning on a book, facing the camera, showing an incredibly bright, pure smile without a hint of impurity.
[Lin Feifei: "Look! My treasured treasure. We were so young then, practically tender enough to squeeze out water. 'Back then we were young in spring robes thin, leaning on slanting bridge on horseback, red sleeves waving from every tower'—that was us back then, right?"]
[Cheng Xiaoyue: "It's more like 'Better not ask about old guests at Liang Garden, in Maoling autumn rain illness strikes like Sima Xiangru'. Only a few years after graduation, I've already been worn down beyond recognition by 996."]
[Cheng Xiaoyue: "@Lin Feifei @Zhang Yan You guys post recent photos too! No beauty filters allowed! Let's mutually torment each other!"]
Right then, light footsteps approached, Zhang Yan returned from the restroom.
"Your classmates are messaging you." Tang Song shook her phone, "Also, what's this about a date tonight? Hmm?"
"It's, it's just... two good friends I met in the literature club before, haven't seen them in a long time, arranged to get together... I'll come back early."
Tang Song nodded, didn't press further, "It's fine, it's been so long, you should properly catch up, it's rare. No rush to return, today's Double 12, I need to go to the company tonight too. When I'm done, I'll just pick you up."
Tang Song nodded, didn't press further, "It's fine, it's been so long, you should properly catch up, it's rare. No rush to return, today's Double 12, I need to go to the company tonight too. When I'm done, I'll conveniently pick you up."
"By the way, your classmates are waiting for you to post a photo." Tang Song pointed at her phone screen.
Zhang Yan "Oh"ed, opened her photo album, thought for a moment, still sent the photo Tang Song took of her at the Agricultural University campus yesterday.
[Cheng Xiaoyue: "Wow, Yan Yan your skin is still so good, damn natural talent!"]
[Lin Feifei: "Not bad, classmate Zhang Yan, composition, lighting are great, who took this photo? Is it that gentleman from your WeChat Moments?!"]
Zhang Yan looked at Xiaoyue's pressing question, didn't know how to answer, blushing, poking at her phone.
But Tang Song stood up at that moment, reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist.
"Since you're meeting old classmates tonight, definitely need to dress up nicely. What you're wearing now is too plain. Come, I have some prepared jewelry for you here."
"Ah? Th-this, no need no need... we're just casually having barbecue..."
"That won't do, look, your two classmates are quite fashionable. You're prettier than them, naturally should dress the best."
Hearing Tang Song bluntly call her "pretty" made Zhang Yan's heart leap.
Then, she was pulled by Tang Song into the master bedroom's walk-in closet.
He opened a dedicated cabinet inside, which didn't contain his suits, but hung several women's ready-to-wear pieces that clearly looked expensive.
Then, Tang Song took out an exquisite jewelry box from inside, handed it to her.
Zhang Yan held the heavy box, at a loss, "This... this..."
Inside was a complete Chanel accessory set—
Necklace, earrings, bracelet, even a ring.
Zhang Yan's expression instantly froze.
Since childhood, she had never even worn gold jewelry, let alone so much, so beautiful, so expensive.
"Do you like it?"
"Li-like it..."
"Try it on."
"Mm."
Zhang Yan obediently sat at the walk-in closet's dressing table, without any intention of refusal.
In her view, from the moment they slept in the same bed, she already belonged to him.
And probably for this lifetime, it would never change.
Accepting his kindness wasn't something shameful.
She looked at her blushing reflection in the mirror, as if treating a rare treasure, piece by piece, put on those accessories.
The cool platinum touch against her warm skin made her slightly tremble from nervousness and an indescribable sense of happiness.
Tang Song stood behind her, looking at the refined girl in the mirror, satisfiedly praised: "Very beautiful."
Zhang Yan looked at herself in the mirror, then at his reflection in the mirror, shyly lowered her head.
Only the simply styled ring wasn't taken off again.
She stood up, voice very soft: "Thank you... I didn't prepare any gift for you..."
"Just saying isn't enough." Tang Song looked at her evading eyes, deliberately blinked, while stepping forward, "Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
She looked up, met his deep eyes.
Finally stood on tiptoe, kissed his cheek.
She was about to immediately retreat like a startled rabbit.
But was stopped by an arm around her waist.
Immediately after, his eyes suddenly enlarged in her vision.
Then, lowered his head.
Feeling her uncontrollably opened lips and teeth.
Zhang Yan's mind went "whoosh," instantly blank.
Eyes hazy, body softening in his embrace.
The walk-in closet was quiet, only the sound of intense heartbeats and rustling noises.