novelraw Chapter 729: Prose Poem
Chapter 729: Prose Poem
Chapter 729: Prose Poem
In the night, beams of car lights occasionally sliced through the darkness.
Snowflakes danced wildly within the light.
The attic balcony fell into brief silence, leaving only the three women's rapid heartbeats.
The woman beneath the streetlight pierced through the wind and snow with her gaze, sweeping over their faces before precisely landing on Zhang Yan.
She gave a slight nod, and on that stern face, there seemed to be an extremely subtle smile.
Zhang Yan finally confirmed - she was indeed Tang Song's driver.
Lin Feifei and Cheng Xiaoyue swallowed hard with difficulty.
As standard literary young women, they had watched countless movies and read countless novels.
But this scene before them—
Snowy night, luxury car, mysterious stern woman, and that specially delivered gift.
Was more unreal and impactful than any fictional plot.
Moreover, all of this was actually happening to their most ordinary friend, Zhang Yan.
"Yanyan..." Cheng Xiaoyue's voice trembled, "The one downstairs... she, she's... here to deliver something to you?"
"Yes."
Zhang Yan took a deep breath. The biting cold of the winter night failed to calm her down.
Instead, it stirred even greater waves in the already turbulent sea within her heart.
Tang Song...
He actually sent the clothes over just because I casually mentioned the link...
Even... specially prepared medicine.
How could he be so good to me.
Since childhood, Zhang Yan's life had been like a rootless duckweed.
Her parents' divorce, childhood spent living under others' roofs, moving again and again for survival...
She never had a truly stable home, always drifting, always struggling to adapt to one new environment after another.
And in all her turbulent, obscure years, the teenage Tang Song had been the shining coordinate in her life.
Now, she stood in the light, feeling its warmth and embrace.
Feeling like the happiest person in the world.
"Please, please wait a moment, I'll come down right away!" Zhang Yan called to the female driver downstairs, then turned to go down before abruptly stopping, "Feifei, how, how do I unlock the door downstairs?"
"I'll go down with you, I'll open, open the door for you."
"Okay."
Cheng Xiaoyue, having regained her composure, immediately followed: "I'll go down with you too."
Urgent footsteps sounded from the balcony, passing through the cozy attic and descending the wooden staircase.
Sweeping past the first floor's flowers and plants that emitted a faint fragrance in the night.
Lin Feifei ran to the door, took out her keys, and somewhat flusteredly unlocked the flower shop's glass door.
"Whoosh—" The door was pulled open, and the cold wind rushed in violently.
Stepping onto the sidewalk outside the flower shop, their footsteps instinctively slowed down.
Up close, the woman's imposing presence felt even stronger.
She was really tall, wearing a black coat and combat boots, her posture as straight as a spear.
Zhang Yan felt this was completely unlike a driver, more like a cold, highly skilled female agent straight out of a novel.
Cheng Xiaoyue and Lin Feifei instinctively shrank behind her.
Zhang Yan mustered her courage and spoke first: "H-hello, I'm Zhang Yan."
"Hello, Miss Zhang." Her voice was as cool and efficient as on the phone, devoid of extra emotion. "I'm President Tang's driver, Liu Jiayi."
Liu Jiayi took a few steps forward and handed over the shopping bag in her hand.
"These are the shell jackets President Tang prepared for your two friends, two different sizes, one S and one M."
She then handed over another slightly smaller paper bag: "This bag contains the montmorillonite powder and heating pads I bought. President Tang instructed that the weather is cold, so you should keep warm, drink warm water, and avoid eating cold foods."
Her speech was concise and clear, without any unnecessary words, displaying extremely high professionalism.
"Ah... okay..." Zhang Yan quickly took the bags, feeling their weight sink in her hands. She looked up at this woman who stood half a head taller than her with such strong presence, stammering: "Th-thank you for your hard work, sorry to trouble you to make this special trip, and... with the snow falling... thank you!"
"It's my duty." Liu Jiayi nodded slightly, her voice crisp and efficient.
Immediately, an awkward silence fell over the scene.
Snowflakes continued to fall.
Zhang Yan saw that Liu Jiayi showed no intention of turning to leave, and she didn't dare to simply turn back to the shop either.
One tall, one short, they formed a peculiar standoff under the lights of this snowy night.
After a moment, Zhang Yan mustered her courage again and whispered: "It's too cold outside, and it's snowing, you, you can just go back directly, drive safely on the way."
But Liu Jiayi shook her head, her gaze calmly sweeping over the two friends behind Zhang Yan who were craning their necks and looking dazed.
"President Tang's orders." She still maintained that businesslike tone. "After your two friends try on the shell jackets, if they don't fit, I'll immediately arrange to exchange the sizes."
Cheng Xiaoyue and Lin Feifei widened their eyes, their minds buzzing.
They quickly extracted key information from Liu Jiayi's few concise sentences.
Wow!
Just because we joked a few times in the attic, tried on Yanyan's shell jacket, and casually said we wanted the link...
Yanyan's mysterious "lord" actually immediately sent someone, driving that Rolls-Royce Phantom that looked like it cost over ten million, braving the wind and snow, to deliver clothes in different sizes?
Even... if they don't fit, they can be immediately exchanged?!
What kind of absurd plot is this that only appears in domineering CEO novels?
Zhang Yan herself was completely bewildered by this series of actions, feeling dizzy and at a loss.
That feeling of being cherished and spoiled, held so preciously in her hands, even quietly gave rise to a trace of guilt in her heart.
Feeling that Tang Song was being excessively good to her.
Finally, the more experienced Lin Feifei reacted first, stammering to Liu Jiayi: "They'll fit... definitely fit, no need to try, too... too much trouble for you."
Liu Jiayi's gaze remained calm. "This is my job."
Facing her substantial gaze, Lin Feifei quickly lowered her head, not daring to argue further.
Zhang Yan bit her lip and followed her two friends back to the warm, fragrant first floor of the flower shop.
Opening the shopping bags, she took out two brand new black shell jackets.
"Yanyan." Cheng Xiaoyue pulled the still somewhat dazed Zhang Yan aside behind a row of tall areca palms, her voice extremely low. "Your 'lord'... has he always been... this extravagant?"
"I don't know either..." Zhang Yan's face turned red, her voice as faint as a mosquito's.
"What exactly is his background? This feels like we're in a movie, I'm so scared." Lin Feifei patted her small chest, feeling her heartbeat hadn't yet calmed.
Zhang Yan pursed her lips and said nothing more.
The two hurriedly changed into the same style shell jackets as Zhang Yan and walked back out through the flower shop's glass door.
They saw Liu Jiayi still standing as straight as a spear in the wind and snow.
A thin layer of broken snow had already accumulated on her shoulders and hair, her expression still stern.
"Miss Zhang, do the clothes fit?"
"They fit, they fit! Especially well! Not too big or small, just right!"
The three girls stood straight like students called upon by their teacher, answering in unison.
"Good." Liu Jiayi finally nodded. "Goodbye."
With that, she didn't linger further, turned, opened the Rolls-Royce's door, and her tall, cool figure disappeared into the car.
"Goodbye!" "Drive safely!" "Be careful on the road!"
The low, resonant engine sound started, and the Rolls-Royce Phantom silently merged into the traffic, gradually disappearing into the snowy night.
......
Inside the flower shop, it was warm as spring, but dead silent.
Cheng Xiaoyue and Lin Feifei flanked Zhang Yan, staring at her intently as if looking at an alien.
Zhang Yan felt uncomfortable under their gaze, lowering her head with a shy blush: "Wh-what are you doing?"
"Confess honestly! Who exactly is that 'lord'?!" Cheng Xiaoyue took the lead in questioning.
"Sending clothes and medicine! And sending such a cool female driver in a Rolls-Royce!" Lin Feifei continued, "Yanyan, you... you haven't been... kept by some big shot, have you?"
"Stop it! Stop it!" Zhang Yan's face reddened as she lightly hit her. "Don't talk nonsense!"
"Then who exactly is he? What's his name?!"
"...Tang Song."
"Tang Song? Huh? That name..." Cheng Xiaoyue patted her forehead. "I think I've heard it somewhere before. Wasn't it often mentioned in those poetry manuscripts and prose collections of yours from university?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Lin Feifei suddenly clapped her hands. "We all thought it was because you liked Tang and Song poetry, but now it seems we had it completely backwards!"
"So it really is that boy you had a crush on in university!"
"Zhang Yan, what does your 'lord' do now? Is that Rolls-Royce his car?"
"I, I'm not too clear about what exactly he does." Zhang Yan lowered her head, her voice weak.
"That won't do." Cheng Xiaoyue suddenly slapped her thigh. "Yanyan, quickly call him! He sent such expensive gifts, we must personally call to thank him, it's only polite!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Call quickly! We want to thank him." Lin Feifei joined in the urging.
"No... that wouldn't be good..." Zhang Yan's face was so red it seemed about to drip blood. "He's busy with work, I, I'll just send a WeChat message..."
"Sending WeChat lacks sincerity! You must call!"
"Call quickly, call quickly!"
Harassed beyond endurance, Zhang Yan played her final trump card.
"He, he said... after finishing work at nine tonight, he, he would come to pick me up... you can say it to him in person then."
"Ah? He's coming?! Really?!"
"Oh my god, we can see him in person, I really want to see what kind of person he is."
Cheng Xiaoyue and Lin Feifei instantly widened their eyes, excitedly grabbing her hands.
After being baptized by that extraordinary female driver earlier, their curiosity and anticipation for this mysterious "male lead" had peaked.
However, a hint of barely concealed anxiety and worry surfaced in Zhang Yan's eyes.
Although she enjoyed the attention brought by being cherished in front of her friends.
She knew clearly in her heart that she wasn't Tang Song's real girlfriend.
At most, she was a "thief" taking advantage of an opportunity.
So she didn't dare reveal too much about Tang Song, and was even more afraid of him having more contact with her friends in Yancheng in the future.
That would definitely cause trouble for him.
Returning to the attic, the atmosphere had completely changed.
Cheng Xiaoyue, like a mother hen, immediately opened the medicine bag, carefully read the instructions, and watched Zhang Yan drink the montmorillonite powder.
Lin Feifei thoughtfully tore open a heating pad and, without asking, stuffed it under Zhang Yan's sweater, sticking it to her lower abdomen over her thermalwear.
The three sat around the warm heater, continuing their barbecue party.
All of Cheng Xiaoyue and Lin Feifei's attention was focused on Zhang Yan's love story.
While eating, they turned into curious babies, asking about various details.
Zhang Yan gradually opened up too, mostly talking about stories from middle school.
The shy young girl, awkward situations, warm walnut milk, and the boy who stood up for her when she was bullied...
On the bicycle's rear seat, the boy's wind-filled school uniform wrapped around the biggest secret of her youth.
Outside the window, the snow fell heavier.
The atmosphere in the attic grew warmer and more expectant because of the mysterious male lead's impending arrival.
......
Yunxi Building, 30th floor.
Inside Songmei Apparel, lights blazed brightly, the atmosphere was as fervent as fire.
On the massive central LED data screen.
The GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume) numbers were jumping at a heart-racing pace.
"President Tang."
Operations Director Zhang Wen came over holding two cups of coffee, handing him one.
"The data looks good. At this rate, breaking thirty million in total sales tonight shouldn't be a problem."
"Mm." Tang Song took a sip of coffee. "After Double Twelve, your operations team should immediately form a special task force to work closely with President Gao, deeply participating in the AI integration project. From user data modeling, intelligent product selection, personalized recommendations, to AIGC content production... I hope to see AI penetrating every aspect of our operations by year-end."
Zhang Wen listened with surging excitement, nodding vigorously: "Understood! President Tang! We'll definitely complete the mission!"
Just then, Product Selection Director Li Yueran hurried over in high heels, her face showing some urgency: "President Tang, Director Zhang, we have a small situation."
"What is it?"
"Several SKUs in our main 'Warm Fleece Series' are running low on inventory." Li Yueran handed over the tablet in her hand.
Tang Song took the tablet, briefly scanned it, his eyes flickering.
From "Double Eleven" to the current "Double Twelve," with the unexpected popularity of shell jackets, He Yiyi's breakout across the internet, and the massive traffic brought by the "Su Yu same style"...
Now Songmei Apparel had firmly established itself in the quasi-top position among domestic vertical clothing e-commerce.
Supply chain was the first chasm that must be crossed.
The first challenge was supply chain optimization and diversification.
In this aspect, he indeed needed to make adjustments, just as described in the Fourth Stage Growth Plan mission - comprehensively integrating CRM+ERP+SCM+BI four major systems to form a unified brand middle platform.
Just then—
"Ring ring—" His phone rang.
[Luna]
Tang Song raised an eyebrow, walked to a quiet meeting room, and answered the call.
"President Tang, good evening." Lin Muxue's voice came through the phone with a smile.
"What's up? Luna."
"Nothing, just wanted to check if you're tired from work. Today's Double Twelve, I watched Yiyi's live broadcast, the data was great."
"Mm." Tang Song smiled. "Is everything in Chang'an taken care of?"
"Yes, all handled properly. I'm returning to Yancheng tomorrow. The private flight itinerary to the French estate has all been arranged."
"Thanks for your hard work."
"Not hard work, serving President Tang." Lin Muxue replied playfully, then paused, her voice suddenly becoming very soft and serious: "President Tang, I love you."
Tang Song was momentarily stunned, his voice softening accordingly: "Mm, I love you too."
"That's all then." Lin Muxue on the other end seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief, her voice becoming light again. "Bye President Tang, I won't disturb you further!"
"Bye."
Hanging up, Tang Song vaguely sensed something was off about Luna's mood tonight.
But he wasn't sure if it was emotional sensitivity from returning home or if there was something else on her mind.
Better wait until she returns and they can talk in person.
Just as he was about to put away his phone, he saw two more unread messages.
[Shen Yuyan: "BOSS, I've basically familiarized myself with the situation at Xuanji Optical World, the summary document has been sent to your email. I'm returning to Yancheng tomorrow, looking forward to our next deep exchange (#kiss)"]
[Shen Yuyan: "BOSS, I've basically familiarized myself with the situation at Xuanji Optical World, the summary document has been sent to your email. I'm returning to Yancheng tomorrow, looking forward to our next deep exchange oh (#kiss)"]
Looking at these consecutive "returning to Yancheng" messages, a gentle smile appeared on Tang Song's face.
For this city that held so many of his memories and emotions, he too had deep attachment.
After replying to both messages.
His gaze unconsciously drifted to the window.
Fine, pure white snowflakes were gently falling from the dark night sky.
The snow was getting heavier...
Zhang Yan must be very happy now, she always wanted to see northern snow.
Tang Song chuckled lightly, turned and walked back to his office, putting on the coat hanging on the rack.
While dialing Liu Jiayi's number, he strode toward the elevator.
......
On the attic balcony, the charcoal had long extinguished, leaving only faintly glowing embers flickering.
The three girls nestled in the warm attic, wrapped in wool blankets Lin Feifei had dug out from somewhere.
Zhang Yan held a cup of honey citron tea, lowering her head flipping through old books collected by Lin Feifei, her cheeks glowing with a cute blush under the heating;
Cheng Xiaoyue leaned in the beanbag chair, humming along while recording heartwarming videos with her phone.
As the song ended.
Lin Feifei put down the guitar, teasing: "Yanyan you're still the same, so absorbed in listening, never singing along."
Zhang Yan blushed, murmuring in defense: "I, I don't sing well..."
"Hey, it's already eight-thirty." Cheng Xiaoyue glanced at the time, her face showing undisguised gossipy expression. "Yanyan, why hasn't your 'lord' come yet? If he doesn't come soon, we might just kidnap you."
"Oh—so it's nine o'clock." Lin Feifei drew out the tone. "Then these last half hour, someone must feel like days are passing like years."
The two looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
Of course, amidst the excitement, a faint worry also arose in their hearts.
They knew Zhang Yan too well, knew her troubled background since childhood, and knew her introverted, poor-at-refusing personality.
With such grand gestures from the other party, who could tell if it was genuine or fake?
When they meet him later, they must interrogate him properly, which could be considered vetting for their friend.
Lin Feifei's gaze turned to the window, she put down the guitar and excitedly ran to the balcony.
Grabbing a handful of fresh, soft snow newly accumulated on the railing, she turned back and mischievously threw it at Cheng Xiaoyue.
"Ah! Lin Feifei you sneak attacked!" Cheng Xiaoyue screamed as the snowball exploded on her, the icy sensation making her shiver, then she immediately charged out and joined the battle.
Snowballs flew, laughter and screams rose and fell, quickly involving the innocent Zhang Yan.
"Hey! Stop messing around! Hey..."
Her face red, she hurriedly covered her hair, dodging left and right in the small attic.
But ultimately couldn't escape being cornered by her two teasing friends, her hair and clothes covered with glistening snowflakes.
Cheng Xiaoyue, who was holding a large snowball ready for a full assault, suddenly froze.
Hearing this, Zhang Yan and Lin Feifei's playful noises abruptly stopped.
Bright headlights split through the snowy mist, a majestic black car slowly approaching.
Bright headlights split through the snowy fog, a majestic black car slowly approaching.
"Don't know, but it looks like... after all, you don't see this kind of car often."
"Yanyan, didn't you say... he wouldn't come until nine?"
Zhang Yan was completely stunned too, she also leaned out, unblinkingly staring at the approaching Rolls-Royce, her heart beating so fast it felt about to jump out of her throat.
Is it him? Did he come early?
Under the trio's gaze, the car ultimately stopped steadily in a roadside parking space.
Under the trio's gaze, the car ultimately steadily stopped in a roadside parking space.
Her eyes, her heart, contained only that car downstairs shimmering under the streetlights and snowglow.
Immediately after, the driver's door was pushed open.
Quickly walked around to the back and opened that iconic coach door.
Cheng Xiaoyue and Lin Feifei widened their eyes, staring intently at that car door, even forgetting to breathe.
"Whoosh—" A black umbrella opened, blocking the falling snow and cutting off the balcony's line of sight.
The next second, a pair of polished brown leather shoes stepped onto the snow.
Following them emerged long legs wrapped in dark gray slim-fit suit pants.
The umbrella's edge drooped, covering his face, but couldn't block that innate noble aura emanating from within.
Liu Jiayi stood respectfully nearby, whispering something, he nodded slightly,
His tall figure, elegant posture, made one's imagination run wild.
On the snow, two clear rows of footprints remained.
Their gaze also followed that mysterious black umbrella, moving all the way to downstairs of the flower shop.
Because their view was blocked, they couldn't see that person's face the entire time.
Cheng Xiaoyue's face turned red from holding back, finally unable to restrain herself, she took a deep breath and blurted out toward downstairs: "Zhang Yan is here—!"
The person under the umbrella was finally completely exposed in the snowy night lights.
His deep eyes were radiant with flowing light.
His gaze crossed through the wind and snow, meeting Zhang Yan's on the balcony.
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Zhang Yan."
The swirling snow seemed to pale in comparison to his smiling expression.
The swirling flying snow seemed to pale in comparison to his smiling expression.
Before her voice faded, she turned and ran downstairs.
Urgent footsteps thudded as they disappeared in the stairwell.
Cheng Xiaoyue and Lin Feifei stood frozen in place as if shot.
In their adolescence, those vague novel male protagonist images they had sketched countless times in notebooks and bedtime fantasies, suddenly had a clear, concrete prototype at this moment.
Stay up late praying to be assigned to the same group as him;
Make the sunlight outside the window seem particularly beautiful just because he sat by the window.
This is Yanyan's "lord"?!
In their memories, what kind of person was Zhang Yan?
The girl who would only order vegetarian dishes in the cafeteria to save two yuan;
The girl who would blush for half an hour when called upon by the teacher in class, her voice as small as a mosquito's hum;
The girl who would always stay quietly in the corner during club activities, not daring to speak with strangers.
Quiet, harmless, even needing their constant protection.
But now.
She actually found such a boyfriend? Possessed such a romantic relationship.
That sudden sense of disorientation almost made their brains shut down.
By the time the two regained their senses, Zhang Yan's figure had already rushed trotting into the wind and snow downstairs, being embraced by her "lord" and spun around.
Zhang Yan's face was flushed with shyness, lowering her head without saying a word.
Then, the two figures disappeared behind the flower shop's door.
"I... holy crap!" Cheng Xiaoyue held back for a long time, then blurted out a curse. "Feifei, am I dreaming?"
They dazedly returned to the warm attic, upon entering, just facing Tang Song walking in, both their cheeks simultaneously flushed red.
"Ahem." Cheng Xiaoyue deliberately coughed twice to cover her embarrassment.
Tang Song looked up, his face wearing an elegant and composed smile. "Good evening, two beauties. I'm Tang Song, Zhang Yan's boyfriend. Thank you for taking such good care of her."
Hearing Tang Song refer to himself as "boyfriend," Zhang Yan quickly lowered her head, her hands nervously clasped before her.
"I'm Lin Feifei!"
"I'm Cheng Xiaoyue! Th-thank you so much for the shell jackets!"
"Yes, yes! Too extravagant!"
His demeanor, speech, temperament, and that handsome face that was even more impactful up close.
Made Cheng Xiaoyue and Lin Feifei, these two literary youths, instantly break down, becoming so nervous they couldn't speak properly.
Tang Song glanced around this warmly and cutely decorated attic.
Flowers, books, strings and warm lamps intertwined to create a soft atmosphere of life.
"Ah... thank you, thank you!" Lin Feifei smiled shyly. "Just casually put together. Th-that, would you like something to drink? I have coffee and tea here."
"Don't trouble yourself." Tang Song casually picked up a can of cola from the table, gently shook it. "I'll have this."
Initially, the atmosphere was indeed somewhat restrained.
But as Tang Song made a few jokes about Zhang Yan, his perfectly measured composure and humor quickly melted the awkwardness in the air.
Then, following the book in Zhang Yan's hand, he chatted with them about books, essays and poetry, his tone gentle, his demeanor naturally revealing a respectful listening attitude.
Laughter once again floated through the small attic.
At some point, the topic turned to music.
Tang Song's gaze fell on the violin hanging on the wall. "Feifei, do you often play?"
"Ah, no, no." Lin Feifei quickly waved her hands, her face reddening. "I just learned for a while before, I'm rusty now."
Tang Song smiled, asking calmly: "May I borrow it?"
The three were simultaneously stunned.
Tang Song turned, looking into Zhang Yan's almond-shaped eyes full of confusion, rubbing her head. "Didn't you really like 'Country Road' from 'Whisper of the Heart'?"
"Mm..." Zhang Yan subconsciously nodded.
"Coincidentally, this is also an attic," he mysteriously smiled. "Want to experience it live? It's completely different from listening through speakers."
Zhang Yan stared blankly at him, suddenly realizing what he was about to do, her heartbeat already in complete disarray.
"If you want to hear it, I can." He blinked, walked over, and picked up the violin.
Zhang Yan's face instantly became burning hot, stammering: "...I want to."
"Come, let's go to the balcony. Listen to the violin while watching the snow." Tang Song took Zhang Yan's delicate small hand.
He led her through the small attic's warm yellow lights, into the silver-white night.
Behind them were the wind-chimed doorbell and two left-behind jealous friends.
A boy like Tang Song merely existing was lethal enough.
......
On the balcony, the snow fell heavier.
Tang Song led Zhang Yan to the balcony center, standing before her.
He elegantly positioned the violin on his shoulder, slightly tilting his head, his deep gaze tightly interwoven with hers.
The night was silent.
In the interweaving warm light and snow light, his lines were both cold and soft.
The whole person seemed to have walked out of a prose poem.
Zhang Yan was completely mesmerized.
His slender fingers moved slightly, the bow lightly touched the strings.
Melodious melody cut through the night, "Country Road" slowly sounded.
It wasn't the intermittent notes of Lin Feifei's practice, nor the slightly immature performance of the youth in the movie.
It was impeccable top-level skill.
The violin music flowed, like wind brushing through valleys, like some kind of whispering murmuring in the snow.
The notes were sometimes light, sometimes passionate, as if telling a story about dreams and love.
Leaving only music, snowflakes, and him.
His gaze, from beginning to end, was only fixed on her alone.
Step by step approaching her, circling around her, elegantly turning.
Snowflakes followed his figure, intertwining with leaping notes, dancing around her.
Zhang Yan stared blankly at him.
When the violin music played for me.
I finally understood.
That snowy country road I walked for so long.
Its destination.
Has always been you.