Chapter 247: [Passive Skill] (Temporarily Missing)

2017.

March in Shanghai was like a colorful, vibrant scroll.

The spring breeze blew gently, blowing away the last chill of winter.

But Su Yu, sitting in the lounge, only felt cold all over.

The words her manager said to her kept appearing in her mind over and over again.

"Xiao Yu, I'm very sorry, but there's no room for maneuver in this matter."

"Now the whole internet is full of black drafts about you, the company can't wash it at all, and we have our own difficulties."

"Tomorrow we will officially announce your withdrawal from Echo, Lin Yue will replace your position as lead singer."

"You settle down for a period of time, go to school, recharge, you are still young."

…

She debuted at 17 and was a first-generation member of the Echo girl group.

Three years had passed, and the 3 teammates at the time had been replaced twice, only she, as the team's main dancer and face, had never changed.

Later, in order to cultivate new team members, the company asked her to give up her position as main dancer, and she didn't have any dissatisfaction.

She began to practice singing hard and turned into the team's lead singer.

As the team leader, she tried hard to help team members get recognized by group fans, took the initiative to give up exposure positions, communicated and guided, encouraged and supported team members, and helped them cultivate their own fans...

Little by little, she pulled up Echo's popularity and influence.

The hardship in this was something others couldn't experience.

Due to excessive pressure, she suffered from severe sleep disorders and eating disorders.

It was the identity of Echo girl group leader and the support of fans that supported her to persist.

However, just when her and Echo's heat and popularity were rising steadily, she suffered a backstab from 3 teammates.

Those partners who once sweated and chased dreams together had now become the people who hurt her the most.

Team bullying, tearing up teammate posters, smoking and drinking...

A series of non-existent black materials, matched with malicious edited video clips and photos, made her encounter unprecedented cyberbullying and slander.

The indifference and abandonment of the company's management made her heart even more dead.

…

At the scene of the All-Star Concert.

She went on stage alone, receiving boos from the audience and fans, and large swaths of glow sticks went out.

Her world also collapsed completely.

She began to have nightmares frequently and even had a tendency toward depression.

Under the repeated persuasion of relatives and friends.

She put on a hat, sunglasses, and guitar, walked out of the house, and in a corner of a remote park, used music to vent her emotions.

One day in early April.

He suddenly sat down beside her.

Handed a budding cherry blossom to her hand.

He was wearing ordinary sweatshirt and jeans, wearing a baseball cap, black-rimmed glasses, and a faint smile on his face.

His appearance was clean and refreshing, and his body clearly carried the high-spirited youthfulness, but his temperament was exceptionally calm and cold.

More importantly, seeing him for the first time, she felt very familiar, but she really hadn't seen him before.

He took the guitar from her hand, plucked and tapped it lightly, using superb techniques and mesmerizing melodies to make her eyes regain vitality.

He stood up and blocked the somewhat dazzling sunlight for her.

He also blocked all the oppression and slander from the outside world for her.

Blocking the sky and the sun, yet the sky was clear and the earth was wide.

He was a very contradictory person.

…

Shanghai, Cuihu Tiandi.

Su Yu woke up from a dream, and unexpectedly, there were some damp traces on the pillow.

She sat up from the bed, the thin silk sheet sliding to her waist, revealing graceful curves.

Her shoulders were round and soft, her collarbone lines clear and charming.

Sighing, she stepped barefoot on the soft floor mat.

Opening a slit in the curtain, the morning light immediately permeated in, hitting her face.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, casting faint shadows.

Her skin presents a high-end cloudy white, with a pure texture, flawless, and exudes a delicate coolness.

There were 84 hours left until the concert started.

In the restaurant.

The exquisite and rich breakfast had just been made.

She ate small mouthful by small mouthful, her brain still recalling the dream from last night.

In the past few days, or rather, since Tang Song appeared in Shanghai, her dreams had become very frequent and clear.

For some reason, there was always an illusion that she was going to see him again.

Probably because of that song called "Dream Echo," right?

"Da da da—" Life assistant Cheng Xiaoxi walked over quickly and whispered: "Sister Yu, Xingyun International's Ji Ji Qiu Yu arrived in Shanghai early this morning, do you want to see her today?

Jingwu Capital's acquisition of Guangying Media's shares has been put on the agenda.

Ms. Ouyang is going to attend the 2023 World New Energy Expo, so she can't attend your concert this time.

Assistant Lin from Smile Holdings indicated that Director Jin is temporarily inconvenient to go to Yancheng, but she will take time to watch the live broadcast."

"Hmm, I know." Su Yu wiped her mouth, not too disappointed.

She picked up her phone from the table and found a video screenshot in the album.

In the center of the screen was a hand-drawn sketch portrait.

Tyndall effect light, dancing hair, shrugged shoulders, eyes filled with tears...

"Wen Ruan, Wen Ruan. Jin Meixiao has already set her sights on you."

She read it twice in her heart, her expression a bit complex.

……

June 18, 2023, Saturday, cloudy to thundershowers, 23~34°C.

Yanjing Tiancheng, secondary bedroom of the large apartment.

When Tang Song opened his eyes, the sky was already bright.

Looking beside him, Lin Empress Mu Xue was nowhere to be seen.

Tang Song raised his eyebrows and sat up from the bed.

Looking at the messy traces around, and the dress hanging on the head of the bed.

Scenes from last night couldn't help but appear in his mind.

The undulating body lines, delicate and moist skin, slender and straight legs...

The flushed face, the ear-piercing screams, the dancing water magic...

Thinking of the bed sheet and quilt he had dirtied, Tang Song's expression was a bit strange, feeling exceptionally fresh.

This kind of madness under high emotional state was something Qian Qian had never had.

Never expected, you were actually such an Xiao Xue.

Since there were no clothes of his here, Tang Song had to walk naked toward the master bedroom.

In the room, the bed sheet and quilt from last night had disappeared.

However, Lin Empress Mu Xue's Hermès bag was placed on the head of the bed, indicating that the other party hadn't left.

Putting on a set of light sportswear in the cloakroom, he walked forward along the corridor for a few steps and heard movement coming from the laundry room.

Arriving at the door, the frosted glass door was half-open.

Lin Empress Mu Xue was adjusting the electric drying rack.

The washed bed sheet and quilt cover were hanging on it.

Seeming to have heard footsteps, Lin Empress Mu Xue looked toward this side quickly.

Immediately after, the corners of her eyes twitched, she combed her hair behind her ears, and said with a flushed face: "Tang Song, good morning."

The embarrassment on her face couldn't be covered no matter what.

She didn't feel anything because she was too excited last night, but looking back today, she only felt that she had lost all the face she could lose in her life.

In her original fantasy, this one-night stand should be impulsive, hormonal, romantic, passionate, and blurry.

But never expected that she would uncontrollably draw a map on the bed in front of him.

Since she was sensible, she had never done such a thing.

This was too different from the persona she had always had, and it was a big blow to her.

"Good morning." Tang Song nodded, leaning against the door frame looking at her.

Couldn't help but admire her a bit.

Yesterday was the first time, and they fought until so late.

As a result, after he got up, she had already taken a shower, put on makeup, and done her hair. 【24

Is this hoping that what she sees is an exquisite and beautiful her?

Perhaps this is her little scheme.

Biting her lip, Lin Empress Mu Xue walked over in slippers, "Um... I... I bought breakfast, it's just sitting in the restaurant."

"Thank you, let's go, let's eat together." Tang Song nodded and walked towards the restaurant.

"Hmm."

On the solid wood dining table.

The two sat face to face, Lin Empress Mu Xue lowered her head and ate a few mouthfuls of wontons.

She whispered: "My classmates will arrive here around 10:30, I want to invite them to have lunch here, is that okay?"

"Of course it's okay, we agreed on it before."

"Hmm." Lin Empress Mu Xue nodded, "Thank you, Tang Song, this has caused you trouble. After my classmates leave Yancheng, I will pack my things and leave."

She doesn't think that sleeping together makes her his girlfriend, signing a trust, or receiving property.

If we really talk about it, she got the big bargain.

Sleeping with a male god like Tang Song and getting a job with an annual salary of one million.

The only regret is that she didn't leave him with a romantic and warm impression last night.

"No rush."

After finishing breakfast, Lin Empress Mu Xue tidied up the guest bedroom that was messed up last night.

She changed into gentle and homey clothes.

Tang Song finished replying to work emails in the study, looked at her sitting on the sofa playing with her phone, and smiled: "I bought a bunch of computer accessories recently, and I happen to have time today, so I plan to assemble a host, want to join?"

Lin Empress Mu Xue was stunned, hurriedly stood up, and said happily: "Okay, although I don't understand digital stuff, I can help you pass things on the side."

She is a very clever person; she can feel clear goodwill from Tang Song's words.

The two walked into the media room.

Turning on the lights, Tang Song took two cardboard boxes from the corner, took out the accessories one by one, and began to assemble them happily.

From time to time, he introduced the name and configuration of an accessory to Lin Empress Mu Xue.

Assembling a machine is a bit monotonous doing it alone; it's much more comfortable with a beauty on the side.

Lin Empress Mu Xue sat quietly on the side, praising from time to time, providing emotional value as much as possible.

"Ding-dong—" The WeChat notification sound rang.

Lin Empress Mu Xue took out her phone to look and said: "Tang Song, my two high school classmates have set off, they will arrive in about half an hour."

"OK." Tang Song put down the accessories in his hand, looked at the sexy and beautiful Little Xue beside him, gently hugged her waist, blinked and said: "I'll go change clothes, we're going to play the role of boyfriend and girlfriend next, right?"

Lin Empress Mu Xue's face was slightly red, and bright light flashed in her eyes.

Looking at Tang Song's handsome face, she bit her lip and whispered: "Um... I bought Yuting this morning and have already taken it. Don't worry, I won't cause you trouble, and I don't intend to stick to you all the time, nor will I let Qian Qian know."

"Uh..." Tang Song was stunned; he didn't feel too sorry about the durability of his little umbrella.

Little Xue is indeed a sensible girl, worth rewarding.

Tang Song lowered his head slightly, patted the basketball behind Little Xue, pinched her pointed chin and said: "Come with me to the cloakroom."

"Hmm." Lin Empress Mu Xue didn't ask much, but her mind couldn't help but wander, and her face became redder and redder.

Does Tang Song want to play basketball in the cloakroom?

But classmates are coming later, it wouldn't be good if it gets dirty, right?

"Click—click—"

The safe was opened gently.

Tang Song took out a concert ticket and two gold bars from inside, smiled and handed them to her, "Take them, a small gift for you."

Looking at the things in her hand, Lin Empress Mu Xue's gaze was stunned, and her heartbeat suddenly began to accelerate.

"Thank you, Tang Song, I really like your surprise." She bit her lip, leaned forward and kissed him, her body twisting gently.

……

East Gate of Yanjing Tiancheng.

A white Corolla stopped slowly.

Two girls got off.

"This is Yanjing Tiancheng?" Chen Siyue carried a backpack, and the sports camera in her hand was aimed at the community entrance.

Mao Wenqiong beside her nodded vigorously, "This is it, one of the most high-end communities in Yancheng, with an average price of over 30,000, and housing sources are particularly scarce; it's a famous rich community locally."

She and her boyfriend both work in Yancheng and have plans to get married, so they often pay attention to housing prices and housing information.

She knows a lot about this kind of highly topical community.

Of course, it's just pure curiosity; buying a house here is something she wouldn't even dare to think about.

"So expensive, but the environment is indeed good, and the location is also in the city center." Chen Siyue patted her arm, "Thank you, Wenqiong, when we interview later, I'll set up the camera, you just watch on the side."

After what happened last night, He Xiaohui completely had no intention of visiting Lin Empress Mu Xue's home; she was still sulking in her room, afraid of being stimulated again.

Another old classmate, Li Da, couldn't be contacted at all today.

So of the 4 old classmates originally planned, only the two of them came in the end.

"It's okay." Mao Wenqiong smiled shyly and couldn't help but ask curiously: "Is Little Xue's boyfriend really that handsome?"

"Hmm, you'll know later, it's not an exaggeration at all." Chen Siyue's eyes were full of envy and jealousy, "By the way, hasn't Little Xue arrived yet?"

"She sent me a message before getting off the car, saying she had something urgent, let us wait at the entrance for a few minutes."

"Okay, then I'll film another introduction video of the community."

The two waited for nearly 10 minutes and finally saw Lin Empress Mu Xue, who arrived late.

Wearing a white T-shirt, tight jeans, and sneakers, she looked youthful and beautiful.

"Sorry, Siyue, Wenqiong, the kitchen sewer was a bit clogged just now, water overflowed, and I cleared it with my boyfriend."

"It's okay, it's okay." Chen Siyue shook her head hurriedly and said excitedly: "Let's go, Little Xue, let's film your community environment first, then go home."

"Hmm." In front of her old classmates, Lin Empress Mu Xue became that cold and intellectual finance girl again.

It's just that her walking posture was a bit off, not as elegant and dignified as before.

Along the clean and tidy slate road, they walked through the quiet and elegant garden-style landscape.

Chen Siyue filmed the video while chatting with Lin Empress Mu Xue about the community's transportation, environment, and facilities.

Mao Wenqiong's eyes were full of envy; her biggest wish was to buy a house of their own in Yancheng with her boyfriend and settle down.

And the Yanjing Tiancheng in front of her was undoubtedly the luxury house she dreamed of.

Walking into the luxurious entrance lobby of Building 1.

Lin Empress Mu Xue smiled gently: "To be honest, I'm still quite regretful that Xiaohui didn't come."

"Um, she's not feeling well, and the concert is coming up soon, so she has to recuperate." Chen Siyue explained awkwardly.

"Ding—" The elevator stopped slowly on the 20th floor.

Turning a corner along the spacious and bright corridor, a thick and atmospheric armored door appeared in front of them.

Before even entering the room, the two were somewhat stunned.

Lin Empress Mu Xue entered the password, opened the armored door elegantly, and gestured, "Please come in."

Chen Siyue and Mao Wenqiong took a deep breath and walked in cautiously.

Although they had psychological expectations, when they truly saw the scene inside, they were still startled.

Good heavens! This is a large apartment!

Mao Wenqiong instantly remembered that she had indeed seen large apartments in Yanjing Tiancheng on Douyin before.

But there was only one building, with only one household per floor.

Housing sources are scarce, and there are none for sale on the market; those who can live inside are all true upper-class figures in Yancheng.

Chen Siyue said in a dry voice: "Little Xue, how big is your house? This living room looks bigger than my house."

"390 square meters." Lin Empress Mu Xue spat out a number calmly.

Chen Siyue's eyelids twitched, "Damn, so big!"

Mao Wenqiong's gaze went blank instantly, and she couldn't say a word.

With this area plus this renovation, the total price is almost 20 million, right?

This is a number she cannot imagine.

"It's alright." Lin Empress Mu Xue smiled calmly, "By the way, my boyfriend is working in the study, it's not convenient for him to appear on camera, I'll take you around first, just find a few representative places to film."

She still knows how to be discreet.

This is Tang Song's home, it cannot be exposed too much, otherwise it will cause him trouble.

Chen Siyue responded hurriedly: "Hmm, mainly to film your living environment, we'll just film in the master bedroom, cloakroom, and living room later."

"Tap, tap, tap—" Footsteps spread out in the corridor.

Immediately after, the luxurious and exquisite large apartment landscape unfolded slowly in front of the two.

270-degree panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, artistic island counter, wrap-around fabric sofa, high-end custom kitchenware and appliances...

The perfect combination of comfort and aesthetics, embodying high-end luxury to the fullest.

Chen Siyue and Mao Wenqiong were overwhelmed, their heartbeats getting faster and faster.

As they pushed open the master bedroom door and walked into the walk-in cloakroom, their heads "buzzed," feeling an indescribable shock.

Pieces of high-end men's and women's clothing were neatly placed in the cabinets.

Gorgeous, high-end, exquisite.

It's simply like coming to a luxury goods counter.

This is the castle every girl dreams of!

Feeling the shock, envy, and jealousy of her two old classmates, although Lin Empress Mu Xue was very happy, she didn't have much emotional fluctuation.

Far less high-pitched than when she was just being held by Tang Song and outputted.

The experiences of the past few days, especially after playing basketball with a male god like Tang Song, her way of thinking and cognitive concepts have undergone huge changes.

Former high school classmates can no longer make her feel much pleasure in face-slapping.

Lin Empress Mu Xue clearly knows that she has upgraded!

It's time to aim for higher goals!

……

Qiaoxi District, Huaxiang Master Chinese Restaurant.

Exquisite dishes were placed on the table, and soft music drifted in the air.

Zhao Mingying looked at Wen Ruan opposite him and couldn't help but sigh: "You made the right choice to return to Yancheng; your whole state is much, much better than before, really good!"

Wen Ruan smiled, "You haven't changed much from before, except that you have less hair."

Zhao Mingying subconsciously touched his smooth forehead, shook his head self-deprecatingly, "Living in the Imperial Capital is not easy.

I have a wife and children to support, a mortgage to pay, and I'm over 35.

It's truly full of debuffs; I have to be cautious in every aspect, afraid of giving the company an excuse to lay me off.

Now I work overtime until 9 PM every day, leading the planning proposals, and my hair is falling out in handfuls."

"It's alright, Xingyun International is now backed by Tang Zong Entertainment and has been expanding; I think you still have a chance to rise higher."

Zhao Mingying looked at her and said: "Actually, I think it's a pity for you; your education, quality, and ability are top-notch in every aspect. If it weren't for those bullshit things, you could have stayed in the group with peace of mind and become a mid-level manager by now."

8 years ago, when Wen Ruan first joined Xingyun International, she was in the same department as him.

Zhao Mingying had a deep impression of the youthful, high-spirited, and vigorous Wen Ruan at that time.

He also felt sorry for the misfortune the other party had encountered.

"Hehe." Wen Ruan smiled indifferently, "It's useless to say these things now; I'm living very well in Yancheng, my work is easy and stable, close to home, and there are... some interesting friends."

During those years in the Imperial Capital, she really devoted herself to her career, thinking only of gaining a foothold in this international metropolis.

She studied hard and worked desperately for the first few years, making achievements bit by bit, and finally had a chance for a promotion.

As a result, it was ruined by a colleague spreading rumors.

After struggling for another year and still not seeing hope, she rolled back to Yancheng in a dejected manner.

Summarizing her 5 years in the Imperial Capital, her evaluation is: a mess.

The only benefit is that with the help of Xingyun International's platform, she met quite a few friends from media companies.

Her current side job is to provide articles for these media, run some ads, and the income is quite objective.

This is also the main reason she often travels; going to other cities to see the scenery and maintain relationships with these friends by the way.

Overall, it's many times more comfortable than the Imperial Capital.

And in case she gets laid off in the future and can't find a job due to age, she can also use these connections to start a studio and become a media intermediary.

Actually, this is the business of media companies.

It is also the retreat she prepared for herself before.

"Actually, there is one more thing I came to see you for this time."

Zhao Mingying paused and said: "Xingyun International is going to establish a branch in Yancheng, and it has already entered the implementation stage; the person in charge of this matter is Group Vice President Ji. I joined at the same time as her and can barely speak to her. She mentioned you when she came to inspect our department a few days ago; I think she has a good impression of you. If you have the idea of returning to Xingyun International, I can help you with an internal referral; this matter is highly likely to succeed."

Wen Ruan raised her eyebrows and asked in surprise: "Media Operations Vice President Ji Ji Qiu Yu?"

"Yes! That's her! I think this is a good opportunity; you can stay in Yancheng to work and have a chance to be appreciated by Vice President Ji, returning to your career trajectory."

"I'll think about it carefully; I'm going to the Imperial Capital for a business trip next week, and there's also Simin's wedding."

Wen Ruan let out a long breath, and her originally calm heart was disturbed again.