Chapter 465: Bicycle, Autumn Rain, Candied Hawthorn, Parting

Seven o'clock in the morning.

The rain outside the window had completely stopped.

The sky outside the window seeped in, illuminating the entire bedroom.

Liu Qingning lay on the bed, hugging the quilt tightly in her arms, her breathing rapid, the flush on her face lingering for a long time.

On her chest and legs, the temperature of Tang Song's palm seemed to remain; that tingling feeling was like an electric current darting through her body, and her heartbeat never slowed down.

She bit her lip, the scene just now unable to help but surface in her mind.

Tang Song, this big bad guy, not only wanted to touch, but also made her open her eyes to watch, and also made her recall every bit of high school.

This sense of shame was much more intense than the one in the large apartment at One Shenzhen Bay before.

At that time, she was more afraid of losing him in her heart, her emotions as complex as a ball of tangled hemp.

The two's relationship was so familiar; besides love, friendship also occupied a large part.

This intimacy in a calm state made her completely unable to handle it.

"Nee—"

Liu Qingning let out a low moan, burying her face deeply into the quilt, her fists clenched tightly.

At the same time, a sense of sourness and gloom rose in her heart again.

In her memory, that kid Tang Song had always been a pure-hearted boy who was a bit dull.

In the past, when the two went shopping and watched movies together, the atmosphere was clearly there, but he didn't even dare to hold her hand; most of the time, it was she who took the initiative.

But in just one short year, he had turned into a "scumbag" who was both "lustful" and had good taste.

No need to think, there must be the "training" of that mature woman Wen Ruan in the middle.

The current Tang Song had already been turned into the shape of Wen Ruan.

Immediately, Liu Qingning took a deep breath, reached out to touch the phone by the pillow, unlocked it, clicked on the album, and flipped to a photo in the favorites folder.

That was a physical photo she took with her phone; the scene had a lot of atmosphere. In the photo, a man and a woman stood side by side in front of a large floor-to-ceiling window, both wearing black-rimmed glasses on the bridges of their noses.

The boy was Tang Song, and the girl was the number one divine beauty in the inner entertainment industry, the most beautiful face in the Asia-Pacific, a Best Actress, a Best TV Actress, and a Best Singer, Su Yu.

Su Yu leaned against Tang Song, a faint smile on her face, lively and stunningly beautiful.

Judging from Tang Song's appearance, this photo was taken five years ago, which was the second semester of their sophomore year.

At that time, she had just started to devote herself to the AI competition project, her life was filled with busyness, and her chats with Tang Song became fewer and fewer.

It was also in that year that Qingning Technology was officially established.

And this photo was one of the old photos of the company's founding period preserved inside Qingning Technology; she saw it in the archives by accident.

She knew that Tang Song owned 3% of the shares of Qingning Technology, and she also knew that he participated in the founding stage of this enterprise.

And at that time, Su Yu had already become a first-line star, and Tang Zong Entertainment also participated in the early investment of Qingning Technology.

To this day, Tang Zong Entertainment and Ju Xing Hui Cui still hold 4% of the shares of Qingning Technology.

So she believed in this photo deeply.

However, this could not explain that there was any emotional entanglement between Tang Song and Su Yu.

After all, her nanny, Aunt Mei, had once said that Su Yu had never had intimate contact with any male and had always remained single.

But this was enough to prove that the relationship between Tang Song and Su Yu was extraordinary, at least they were close friends for many years.

Otherwise, Su Yu would not have lent the house at One Shenzhen Bay to her to live in.

And as Tang Song's best friend, she knew nothing about this.

She really missed a key period of his growth.

Love and friendship, Wen Ruan and Su Yu.

She felt as if she had been excluded from his world.

For her, this was the most unacceptable thing.

Liu Qingning vaguely had a feeling of "bitterly hating that every year I press the gold thread, only to make wedding clothes for others."

Thinking of this, the throbbing pain came from her head again.

Liu Qingning gritted her teeth, telling herself not to let her mind wander.

Even if she was unwilling and in pain, things had already reached this point, and she could only find a way to solve it bit by bit.

"Dong dong dong—" A knock on the door sounded.

Liu Qingning quickly took a deep breath, suppressing the painful emotions on her face, trying hard to make her expression look more peaceful.

The door was pushed open gently.

Tang Song walked in with a smile, "Qingning, come out to eat, try the love breakfast I made for you."

"Mm." Liu Qingning responded, lifted the quilt, sat slowly on the edge of the bed, and put on her slippers.

The throbbing migraine coming from her head made her movements appear exceptionally slow.

Just as she was about to get up, Tang Song's figure suddenly came before her, touched her forehead, and asked with concern: "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

Liu Qingning smiled, "No, it's just that my period started, and my stomach hurts a little."

"I'll rub it for you." Tang Song didn't say a word, sat down beside her directly, and rubbed his hands.

One hand wrapped around her waist, and the other hand pressed gently on her lower abdomen, beginning to massage and rub gently.

"Hmm~~" Liu Qingning couldn't help but let out a comfortable groan, her body trembling slightly, a flash of shyness and joy in her eyes.

Tang Song's care and attention were the best medicine for her.

"Actually, the best way is to drink painkillers, ibuprofen or something, but your stomach has always been bad,

I'm quite worried. We can see how it goes later; if it's not particularly painful, try not to take medicine."

Liu Qingning said "Mm," leaned her head on his shoulder, and enjoyed his tenderness.

The pain gradually subsided.

"I cooked millet porridge, drink more later to warm your stomach, it can also relieve the pain." Tang Song said in a low voice while rubbing. As for relieving menstrual pain, his experience was accumulated from Wen Ruan, and the effect was impeccable.

However, the white moonlight was far from being as "sturdy" as the big sister.

She had been physically weak since she was a child. In high school, as long as someone around her had a cold, she was always the first to be infected, often asking for leave to go to the infirmary.

But it was precisely because of this reason that Tang Song in high school could often take care of her and be alone with her.

The relationship between the two also gradually became intimate during those times of taking care of each other.

After breakfast, Liu Qingning's headache had completely disappeared. Looking at the gradually brightening sky outside, she wanted to pull Tang Song out for a stroll.

She had a flight at 4 PM, and their time together was only half a day left, every minute and every second appearing exceptionally precious.

The two changed into light sportswear and went downstairs holding hands.

The air after the rain was exceptionally fresh, carrying a hint of coolness.

The fallen leaves under their feet were dampened by the rain, making a faint "rustling" sound when stepped on.

They walked along the damp streets, strolling through the blocks around Yanjing Tiancheng, chatting and laughing.

They walked for a long while.

Liu Qingning suddenly stopped her steps, her gaze falling on a row of shared bikes beside her.

She suggested in a spoiled tone: "I'm a little tired from walking, how about we ride bikes? Let's ride from here to the Qingxin Garden residential area and go see the place where you lived before."

Since Tang Song moved to Yancheng, she had never seen him, only visiting Qingxin Garden and the house he rented in videos.

She was actually very curious and regretful about that place.

"From here to Qingxin Garden, it's about 10 kilometers by bike. Is your body okay?" Tang Song pointed to her lower abdomen.

Liu Qingning took out her phone to scan the code and unlock the bike, replying without raising her head: "Are you looking down on me? When we went out to play before, it was much further than this, and I don't hurt much now."

She didn't actually have any menstrual pain problems; it was entirely because of the migraine before.

Mentioning the past, Tang Song couldn't help but chuckle: "It seems I was the one carrying you on the bike back then? You insisted on holding your schoolbag and refused to hug my waist directly. It's really a bit regrettable; I didn't experience the feeling of being 'hit by a ball' by you."

Liu Qingning's face flushed slightly, and she pretended to be angry and patted him: "Hmph! I didn't expect you to have a head full of bad thoughts back then! It's a pity I thought you were so innocent at the time!"

"Hehe." Tang Song pursed his lips and chuckled, leaned to her ear, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and teased in a low voice: "My 'bad thoughts' back then were more than just this; there were even more excessive ones. Do you want to hear them?"

"Go away! I don't want to hear it!" Liu Qingning made an angry expression, her cheeks puffed up like a bun, kicked the fallen leaves at her feet, and urged: "Hey, idiot, hurry up and scan the code to unlock it, otherwise I'm leaving first!"

Tang Song laughed and kissed her, then took out his phone to scan the code and unlock it, straddling the bike with agile and dashing movements.

He looked back at Liu Qingning, his eyes full of doting: "Are you ready?"

"Three, two, one, let's go!"

The streets of Yancheng on a weekend morning were a bit crowded, the sycamore leaves by the roadside swayed with the wind, and the air was filled with the fragrance of soil and grass.

The two rode side by side on the street, the wheels rolling over the stagnant water and splashing small water droplets.

Passing by high-rise buildings, bus stops, street-corner cafes, and lively stalls, Liu Qingning would occasionally turn her head to look at Tang Song, discovering that he was always paying attention to her, and couldn't help but feel soft love in her heart.

From another perspective, wasn't Tang Song also her white moonlight?

On the bike, the boy's wind-blown school uniform wrapped the most shy joy in her puberty.

Even today, it is unforgettable.

Therefore, she forced a kiss on him in the dim KTV on the night of high school graduation.

"Idiot little Song!" Liu Qingning shouted with a smile, stretched out her left leg to kick him, and then accelerated forward.

Tang Song was stunned and quickly reminded: "Hey, don't ride too fast! Be careful of falling!"

"I won't!" Liu Qingning turned her head and stuck out her tongue at him, her ponytail drawing a graceful arc in the wind.

Although she said so, she still slowed down.

When Tang Song caught up, she kicked the pedal hard again, widening the distance once more.

Her pleasant laughter came through the air.

In a taxi parked by the roadside, the driver uncle looked at these happy young people riding bikes, his gaze a bit dazed. He had also been like this, riding a bike with his beloved girl, shuttling through the streets and alleys, the wind brushing past their faces, laughter filling the entire street.

Yancheng at that time was far less prosperous than it is now, the streets were narrow, the buildings were not high, but every corner exuded warmth and vitality, and his heart was also full of expectations for the future.

Unfortunately, time flies, and he still lost that girl who loved to wear white dresses.

Those beautiful moments have also been drowned in the trivialities of life, and can only be remembered occasionally.

He couldn't help but shake his head and mutter to himself: "It's good to be young."

When the two figures disappeared around the street corner, he reached out to press the car window glass, took a Liqun cigarette from the storage compartment, lit it, and took a deep breath.

The smoke rose slowly in the cool air, blurring his vision.

Memories suddenly surged like an undercurrent, swallowing his thoughts.

The future that was once unclear is now where he is.

The dreams, promises, and expectations of the past have now become the background music of memories, no longer reachable.

Regretful? Definitely.

If possible, who wouldn't want to keep the white moonlight of their youth?

The two locked the bikes and walked into the Qingxin Garden residential area.

The familiar environment entered their sight.

Liu Qingning saw the scenery that had appeared in the short videos Tang Song once sent her.

After the two chatted and walked around the residential area.

Tang Song suddenly stopped his steps in front of a bike shed, a strange look appearing on his face.

Liu Qingning asked curiously: "What's wrong?"

Tang Song said sheepishly: "I suddenly remembered that I seem to have an Yadea electric bike parked here."

"Oh?" Liu Qingning's eyes brightened, and she smiled: "I remember you said you spent 2,100 on it."

"Mm, I'll go in and see if it's still there." Tang Song nodded and walked into the bike shed.

His gaze scanned the area, and finally, he saw the black and white electric bike in the corner, which was already covered in a layer of dust. This was the means of transport he bought after returning to Yancheng, and also his first vehicle.

Unfortunately, after moving later, the floor was dragged clean, but he still left it here.

It has to be said that he was indeed quite inflated at the time.

The suddenly descended system, the dream-come-true game, Secretary Jin, luxury cars, luxury houses—under the impact of these things, he had long thrown this little Yadea to the back of his mind.

Liu Qingning said: "It hasn't been charged for so long, the battery must have died."

"Mm, I'll pull it away later and change the battery." Tang Song patted her soft waist and back, "Let's go, where do you want to go next?"

"Walk around the surroundings, I want to see the place where you lived before."

"OK, let's go."

Walking out of the residential area gate, the two walked forward along the street.

While walking, Tang Song pointed to the shops and corners by the roadside, telling Liu Qingning about the little interesting things in his life.

The time-honored bun shop that always had a queue; the boss was an old man with a very loud voice, and he had a son who got into Tsinghua University.

The bookstore at the corner; the shop owner kept a chubby orange cat that was always lazily napping on the pile of books.

Having lived here for so long, even if work was busy, Tang Song had completely integrated into the surrounding environment, and traces of his life were everywhere here.

Listening to these trivial but warm things, Liu Qingning's mouth corners lifted unconsciously; this was what she hoped to understand, and also what she had once missed.

Later, she would also explore his past and his university.

I don't know when.

"Pada~" Her forehead felt cool.

Liu Qingning looked up, and drops of rain fell from the sky.

It started to rain.

"Let's go hide from the rain first." Tang Song pulled her wrist.

Liu Qingning said "Mm" obediently and followed him quickly to the eaves of a shop by the roadside.

She knew her current physical condition; she absolutely couldn't get wet during her period, otherwise, with her fragile constitution, she would definitely get a serious illness.

The rain became denser, carrying a hint of coolness, gradually dyeing the street into a misty color.

Liu Qingning leaned against the wall, her gaze inadvertently sweeping across the street, and suddenly pointed to a small shop not far away, her tone carrying willfulness and coquetry: "I want to eat candied haws."

Tang Song looked in the direction of her finger, smiled, and rubbed her hair, "Wait for me."

After speaking, he pulled the hood of his hoodie over his head and rushed into the rain curtain.

On the street, pedestrians walked in a hurry, and traffic sped through the rain, splashing up pieces of water.

Tang Song's figure appeared hazy and blurred in the rain and mist.

Liu Qingning stood under the eaves, her gaze tightly following his back.

After a moment, a series of hurried footsteps came from afar.

Tang Song's figure reappeared before her, holding a string of bright red candied haws, a brilliant smile on his face.

"Here, your candied haws."

His bangs and clothes were all soaked by the rain, sticking to his body, appearing a bit disheveled.

Liu Qingning took the candied haws, her fingertips touching his cold hand, as if she saw that boy from high school again.

"Idiot little Song," she muttered, raised her hand to wipe the rain off his face, her nose feeling a bit sour.

"Gabeng—" The rice sugar coating shattered instantly under the pressure of her teeth.

The sweetness melted on the tip of her tongue, carrying a hint of sourness, like her mood at this moment.

"Really delicious." Liu Qingning's eyes curved into two crescent moons, her eyes shining as if they were filled with stars, her lips stained with sugar coating and red hawthorn fruit pulp.

"Let me taste it too."

Liu Qingning quickly held it up, "Here."

Tang Song lowered his head and gently held her plump and petite lips, gentle and delicate, carrying the coolness of the rain and the taste of the candied haws.

Liu Qingning closed her eyes, her hand unconsciously tightening on the candied haws, her fingertips trembling slightly.

The rain was still falling, but the whole world quieted down at this moment.

Just at this time, a crisp system prompt sounded in Tang Song's ear.

"Ding! Halo charging reached 100%, Halo Baptism has been triggered."

Immediately following, a thin halo sprayed down from above his head, like the morning light piercing through the mist, dreamy and beautiful. "Ding! You have obtained the safety-type special item 【Green Pouch Gourd】."

【Green Pouch Gourd】: Long-term wearing can subtly improve physical fitness, nourish the body, relieve fatigue, and enhance immunity. (This physical item can be gifted)

【Note: The green pouch hides feelings, sending my lovesickness】

Tang Song was slightly stunned and reacted instantly.

It was the "Halo Effect 2" of 【Male God Halo (LV4)】 charging to 100%, triggering the halo baptism.

Liu Qingning's feelings for him were beyond doubt.

Her joy and response finally brought about this reward.

Noticing the name of the prop, looking at the white moonlight with a flushed face in front of him, and then thinking of Liu Qingning's constitution.

Tang Song said sorry to his mom and dad in his heart.

He embraced Liu Qingning's body, feeling her softness and passion with his heart.

After a long while.

Liu Qingning's breathing became rapid and uneven.

After persisting for a moment, Liu Qingning finally pushed Tang Song away gently, took a few deep breaths, her cheeks flushed, her heartbeat so fast it felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.

She lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito's hum: "Stop! So many people are watching, you—you kissed for too long."

She didn't have much kissing experience, and the few times with Tang Song were also very short.

This passionate and surging kiss made her completely unable to adapt, feeling her soul trembling, her whole person as if melted, almost unable to catch her breath. "Don't you like it? I feel like you were enjoying it just now, very cooperative." Tang Song smiled and turned his head to bite the candied haws.

"You big bastard! It was clearly you who suddenly forced a kiss on me!"

Liu Qingning's voice carried a trace of shyness and annoyance, but more of it was the panic that couldn't be hidden.

"Then you force a kiss on me too."

"No." Liu Qingning glared at him, her cheeks like ripe apples.

The rain gradually stopped, and pedestrians on the street increased again, footsteps and conversations intertwined.

The sound of the two bickering became smaller and smaller.

After lunch, they returned to Yanjing Tiancheng.

Liu Qingning began to pack her luggage in silence.

Tang Song wanted to help, but was pushed out by her.

The reason was that there were private items that couldn't be seen by him.

Sitting on the sofa in the bedroom lounge, Tang Song opened the system interface.

Entered the warehouse.

A brand-new prop appeared there, emitting a faint cyan light.

Selected the prop and claimed it immediately.

Immediately following, he had an exquisite and petite cyan jade gourd in his hand.

The waist of the gourd was slightly tightened, the upper and lower petals were plump and symmetrical, the lines were gentle, just like a drop of solidified morning dew.

It felt warm to the touch, the whole body round and smooth, natural and perfect.

Like the previous 【Safety Wheat Ear】, the size was just right, and it could be used as a pendant for a necklace or as various hanging ornaments.

Tang Song shook it gently, and a faint rustling sound came from inside, as if star dust was flowing within it.

This was a very exquisite jade ornament, even if it were taken out to be sold as an artwork, it would definitely be very expensive.

After playing with it in his hand for a while, Tang Song got up and walked to the walk-in closet, rummaging for a while in the inner cabinet.

He took out a long gift box from inside.

Inside was a platinum necklace, the dense twisted chain sturdy yet elegant.

Tang Song passed the necklace through the small hole at the top of the gourd, his movements gentle and focused.

The platinum chain and the cyan jade gourd complemented each other, and a low-key yet luxurious beauty came rushing toward him.

He held the necklace up to the light to examine it carefully; the gourd revealed a warm luster under the light, as if containing some kind of vitality.

Nodding with satisfaction, Tang Song took the necklace back to the bedroom.

Noticing Tang Song's appearance, Liu Qingning zipped up her suitcase and said softly: "I'm packed, the flight is at 4 PM, it's almost time to leave."

"Qingning, close your eyes, I'll let you open them when I tell you to."

Liu Qingning was stunned, realizing something, but still pretended to be coquettish: "Is it that you want to do something bad again?"

"Hurry up, be obedient."

Liu Qingning said "Hmph," pretending to be reluctant as she closed her eyes, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

Immediately following, a faint coolness came to her neck.

Tang Song gently lifted her long hair, his fingertips touching her skin inadvertently, bringing a trace of itchy sensation.

"Alright, you can open them now."

Liu Qingning opened her eyes slowly, and a small mirror appeared in front of her.

In the mirror, there was a platinum necklace on her neck, the dense twisted chain shining with a faint light under the light, and an exquisite and petite gourd hanging on her chest.

The cyan jade gourd and her fair skin complemented each other, appearing exceptionally moving.

Liu Qingning stared blankly at herself in the mirror, her fingertips touching the gourd on her chest involuntarily, the touch warm and delicate, as if she could feel its vitality.

"It's called 【Green Pouch Gourd】, it's said to bring good luck and nourish the body." Tang Song explained softly, his tone gentle: "I hope it can always accompany you, no matter where you go."

As he spoke, he touched the little gourd and tucked it into her snow-white cleavage.

"You bad guy!" Liu Qingning patted him shyly, but there was an unhidden joy on her face.

The silver Mercedes-Benz S-Class drove slowly out of the Yanjing Tiancheng underground parking lot, the wheels rolling over the wet ground, splashing up small water droplets.

The car interior was quiet and warm, with only soft music flowing in the air.

Liu Qingning sat in the passenger seat, kicking her well-proportioned legs, humming a song softly.

"The most beautiful thing is not the rainy day, but the eaves where I once hid from the rain with you, the scenes of memories swinging on the swing..."

She didn't seem to have much sadness of parting, but rather was cheerful and happy.

The car stopped slowly in the airport parking lot.

The two got out of the car and walked into the airport lobby with their suitcases.

Tang Song helped Liu Qingning handle the check-in procedures and accompanied her to the security checkpoint.

Liu Qingning turned to look at him, her voice suddenly becoming unprecedentedly gentle, "I'm leaving, idiot little Song,

take care of yourself in Yancheng, don't be too tired."

"Mm, you too, take care of yourself in Shencheng, work is not the main thing." Tang Song said softly,

his eyes carrying reluctance.

Liu Qingning nodded, picked up her luggage, and walked toward the security area.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned around, and returned to his side.

Looking at him with stubborn eyes, tears gathered bit by bit in her eye sockets.

Like autumn dew, it could fall at any time.

Before Tang Song could speak, Liu Qingning had already stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips, short and passionate.

Her back gradually blurred in the crowd, finally disappearing at the other end of the security checkpoint.