Chapter 499: Can You Withstand It? The Heart in This Moment

Around 11 a. m., sunlight streamed through the massive glass dome of the shopping mall, casting a warm glow.

Century Plaza was teeming with people, bustling with energy.

On both sides of the spacious corridor stood a dazzling array of shops, their various brand logos shimmering under the lights.

Tang Song, wearing a two-tone hoodie, looked fresh, sunny, and youthful, forming a stark contrast with Xie Shu's mature, elegant, and fashionable demeanor.

Walking side by side down the mall corridor, the two drew glances from everyone around them.

"Thank you, Sister Shu," Tang Song said, tilting his head slightly as he breathed in the enchanting fragrance emanating from the female CEO.

Xie Shu smiled gently, her voice soft yet measured: "Why so polite with me? I'm your girlfriend; this little favor is nothing. I have some connections in Quancheng and will help you get everything sorted out later."

She was not a cold person; on the contrary, her excellent emotional intelligence and high IQ allowed her to precisely gauge the atmosphere of any situation and use the most appropriate words to achieve her goals.

Hearing her response, Tang Song's face instantly broke into a wide grin. "Alright, I love hearing you say that."

With that, Tang Song reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, feeling her soft figure, and applied a slight pressure to pull her closer.

A sense of satisfaction swirled in his heart, making his mood soar. Xie Shu's body stiffened slightly, and she gently pushed him away. "Stop it, we're in public."

Tang Song gently squeezed her hand and teased in a low voice, "Sister Shu's mouth is so sweet today; I want to taste it."

"You—" The fair skin of Xie Shu's chest rose and fell slightly. She wanted to refuse but feared upsetting Tang Song, so she could only chide softly, "This isn't the right place."

Seeing the female CEO look so cute yet reserved, Tang Song couldn't hold back; he stopped in his tracks, leaned forward, and kissed her.

Her moist, full lips carried an intense warmth and sweetness. Looking at her dignified and generous face, Tang Song blinked playfully.

His move was swift and bold, catching Xie Shu off guard; she froze for a few seconds before realizing what had happened.

Seeing that the female CEO was about to react, Tang Song quickly pulled back. "Indeed, very sweet."

"Know when to stop." Noticing the gazes around them, a faint blush rose on Xie Shu's cheeks. She turned and casually walked into a shop.

The brief contact between their lips felt like an electric current coursing through her body. Xie Shu couldn't help but turn her back to Tang Song, raising a finger to lightly trace her own lips.

In fact, she did not completely resist such intimate gestures; however, accustomed to keeping her distance, she preferred to maintain a certain reserve and dignity in public settings.

Tang Song's initiative and boldness instead gave her a unique kind of thrill.

"Looking to buy a phone?" Tang Song stepped up beside her, pulled out his Huawei Mate X3, and waved it in front of her. "Come to think of it, this one I'm using was a gift from you; it's been working great."

Xie Shu looked at the foldable screen phone in his hand, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

Her thoughts instantly returned to the private banking gala a few months ago, where she had casually selected several high-end models as gifts for important clients, including this Mate X3.

Because she had developed some fondness for him, she had given him one, thinking she could recruit him into her company later.

Then, she lifted her head and looked around, only to realize that the shop she had casually walked into was indeed a Huawei exclusive store.

"Your phone doesn't seem to support 5G. The Mate 60 has just been released, and it supports satellite communication. I'll buy you another one; consider it an upgrade."

Hearing this, Tang Song smiled. "If we're switching, let's buy the same model together and treat them as couple phones. How about that?"

Xie Shu felt pleased and nodded. "Sure, I'll listen to you."

Immediately after, Xie Shu pulled him by the arm over to the display counter.

After discussing and selecting for a while, they found that due to tight supply, they could only buy the bundle version, and there weren't many available models to choose from.

In the end, the two bought two Mate 60 Pro+ units, along with a bunch of miscellaneous accessories.

Xie Shu swiped her card to pay, her movement extremely effortless and stylish.

This made Tang Song feel once again that sensation of being cared for with money by the female CEO, and he couldn't help but reward her with another kiss.

After buying the phones, the two went straight to the Japanese restaurant on the top floor of the mall.

Xie Shu ordered their meal with practiced ease: pan-fried beef, sushi, tempura, and chawanmushi. The dishes were served quickly, and the two chatted while eating, their topics ranging from work to life, and then to each other's hobbies.

Xie Shu rarely relaxed like this, occasionally bursting into laughter at Tang Song's witty remarks.

"Ring-ring—" The phone rang.

Xie Shu glanced at the caller ID, hesitated for a moment, and then pressed the answer button.

"Mm, go ahead."

"How large is the scope of impact? Is there a backup plan?"

"Okay, I understand. Follow up and handle it as soon as possible; contact me anytime if there are issues."

After hanging up, the two had just spoken a few words when—

Xie Shu's phone vibrated again, the screen lighting up.

It was a message from her assistant, Xiao Min.

Xie Shu replied quickly.

Soon, the phone screen lit up again; a continuous stream of messages and calls broke the atmosphere between the two.

Xie Shu lowered her head, staring at the screen, her brows slightly furrowed as if weighing something.

After a moment, she took a deep breath and, with great determination, switched her phone to silent Normal Mode before gently slipping it into her bag.

"There was a small issue with the new store, but it's been arranged. It's nothing; let's continue," she said, lifting her head with a calm tone.

Tang Song nodded with a smile. "Mm, okay."

After finishing lunch, the two wandered around the mall some more.

Tang Song suggested watching a movie and directly bought two tickets for a lighthearted romantic comedy.

Inside the cinema, the lights were dim, and the air was filled with the scent of popcorn.

After finding their seats, Tang Song deliberately leaned close to Xie Shu's ear and asked in a low voice, "Sister Shu, do you like watching movies?"

His hot breath lightly brushed against her earlobe, causing Xie Shu to shiver involuntarily. "It's alright; I watched them often when I was younger."

"You're still very young now, still so beautiful, and you look especially good when you smile." Taking the opportunity, Tang Song kissed her on the cheek and continued to tease the female CEO. "Come on, give me a smile."

"Stop with the slick talk!" Xie Shu glared at him, casually grabbed two pieces of popcorn, and stuffed them into his mouth before sitting up straight. "The movie is about to start."

Under the dim lights, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and a thin layer of blush spread across her snow-white face.

It was almost imperceptible.

"Crunch—crunch—" Tang Song chewed the crispy popcorn, lifted the armrest between them,

slipped his arm behind her back, and pulled her into his embrace.

Xie Shu struggled symbolically for a moment before ceasing her resistance.

The movie officially began, and the plot on the screen gradually unfolded.

Xie Shu leaned naturally against Tang Song's chest, feeling the warmth and the rhythmic beating of his heart.

Born in 1991, although she had never been in a relationship, she was a normal post-90s generation individual who had followed dramas like "Meteor Garden," "It Started with a Kiss," and "Full House."

She too had once experienced the stirrings and fantasies of adolescence.

She lifted her head slightly to look at Tang Song's handsome profile, her gaze somewhat dazed.

It was just that she had never imagined she would be dating a man seven years younger than herself.

Just then, Tang Song's gaze happened to turn toward her.

Their eyes met for a moment; then, a warmth spread across her thigh as a warm hand gently landed there, slowly caressing.

It felt very comfortable and very gentle.

Xie Shu turned her head to focus on the big screen, though her body occasionally trembled slightly.

She was always like this, always carrying a hint of reserve and dignity.

Even when kissing, she always kept her teeth closed, never taking the initiative, simply allowing him to kiss her.

Nowadays, this kind of indulgence and tacit approval, paired with the female CEO's elegant demeanor, stirred an indescribable sense of conquest and satisfaction in Tang Song's heart.

Applying slight pressure, he felt the elastic texture beneath her silk-stockinged beautiful legs, his spirit soaring with inexplicable joy.

The movie ended, the lights came back on, and the surrounding audience began to stand up and leave one after another.

Xie Shu looked at her newly bought stockings and sighed helplessly. "Do you know they're almost pilling?"

"I'm sorry, Sister Shu; I'll be more careful next time. However..." Tang Song paused, his gaze returning to her legs. "Your legs are truly beautiful; I couldn't control myself."

This was the honest truth.

Standing 175 cm tall, Xie Shu possessed standard model legs, the legs of a supermodel.

When he first saw her, his eyes had been immediately captured by those pair of long, fair legs.

Now that he had the chance to get close contact with them, they naturally became his primary target of attack.

Xie Shu seemed amused by his words; she nudged him with her elbow. "Let's go; we should head out."

"Mm." Tang Song took her hand and walked outward.

After leaving the cinema, Xie Shu scanned the surroundings on her own, talking about this and that, yet her steps were much more relaxed and natural than before.

Tang Song did not tease her further but accompanied the female CEO as they wandered back and forth.

He knew that for Xie Shu, this decisive female CEO, silencing her phone and allowing time to be wasted on meaningless wandering was, in itself, a form of compromise.

In other words, he was constantly conquering her.

Looking at this female CEO who always adopted an "elder" posture in front of him, the corners of Tang Song's mouth curved into a brilliant arc.

Nightfall gradually descended, and the colorful lights of the pedestrian street lit up one after another.

The two did not go to a restaurant for dinner but instead walked along the pedestrian street, visiting various snack stalls.

Xie Shu only tasted a little of everything, taking just one or two bites of each item, leaving the rest for Tang Song to eat.

When they grew tired, they would casually find a shop to sit down and rest for a while.

7:30 p. m.

Xie Shu raised her wrist to check the time for the third time and said gently, "You should head back. There are many large trucks on the road to Jing County; it's not safe too late at night."

"Indeed, it is quite unsafe." Tang Song lifted the corners of his mouth. "How about I stay in Quancheng? We could find a hotel and get a room?"

Xie Shu's eyebrows lifted slightly, and a faint smile curved her lips. "Next time; remember to book in advance."

"Oh? How far in advance?"

"I won't tell you; guess for yourself." Xie Shu Yu's fingertip lightly tapped Tang Song's chest, as if reminding him not to push his luck, yet also as if teasing him.

Tang Song caught her outstretched hand, applying no force, merely holding it steadily.

Noticing his somewhat scorching gaze, Xie Shu Yu gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Changing the subject without revealing her emotions, she said, "Alright, let's head back. Drive very carefully on the way."

The evening breeze brushed softly past; her hair strands rose in soft arcs under the neon lights, breathtakingly beautiful.

Holding her fingers, Tang Song gazed at her dignified face, slowly lowered his head, and pressed a firm kiss onto her slender, fair neck.

"Ah!" Xie Shu Yu let out a low cry, her body instantly tensing as a tingling sensation spread rapidly through her entire being like an electric current.

It felt as though countless tiny feathers were brushing lightly against her neck, inducing a fierce shudder.

She hurriedly pushed Tang Song away gently, creating distance, and chided with a flushed face, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to kiss you."

Xie Shu Yu took a deep breath, her fluttering heart gradually calming down. "Don't kiss my neck; it makes me feel uncomfortable."

Ever since the Happy Qixi Festival, she had realized her neck was exceptionally sensitive.

Whenever Tang Song touched it lightly, she would react immediately.

However, as a woman with extremely strong self-control, she quickly regulated her mindset, restoring her dignified and elegant demeanor.

Tang Song did not answer; smiling, he took the female CEO's hand and walked contentedly toward the interior of the shopping mall.

Just as they entered the first-floor lobby of Century Plaza, a wave of noise from the atrium hit them.

The mall must be hosting an event, and quite a large one at that.

At this time, foot traffic in the mall reached its peak; the surrounding crowd surged, creating an extraordinarily lively atmosphere.

Xie Shu Yu pulled Tang Song to detour around the side; her peripheral vision caught a conspicuous Winnie the Pooh plush toy on a shelf, and her steps unconsciously slowed.

The plush toy stood about eighty or ninety centimeters tall; golden letters spelling "Pooh" were embroidered on its round, rolling belly, its simple and honest appearance utterly adorable.

Sensing the female CEO's unusual behavior, Tang Song halted, following her line of sight. "Do you like that doll?"

Xie Shu Yu smiled unnaturally. "It's alright; I just find it cute."

When she was young, she had loved watching "Winnie the Pooh" and was very fond of the bear inside; she even had one of similar size and appearance at home, so she couldn't help but glance at it a few more times.

"Wait a moment." Tang Song released her hand, approached the shelf, and asked the staff member, "Hello, how much is this?"

The staff member was a young woman with freckles; seeing Tang Song approach, she explained with a slightly flushed face, "This item is not for sale; our mall is using it as a reward for an event."

"Oh? What event?"

The young woman pointed to a red stage not far away. "The October 1st Special Event: 【Princess Carry Challenge】. As long as the male partner can successfully lift his female companion in a princess carry and hold it for a specific duration, he can win generous prizes. Holding for 15 minutes wins a large plush toy like this; holding for over 30 minutes and winning the championship earns a gold pendant!"

Tang Song's heart stirred; turning to Xie Shu Yu, he said, "Sister Shu Yu, shall we give it a try? We have nothing else to do right now anyway; holding for ten minutes gets you the doll you want."

"No need; I was just speaking casually. Let's go; we'll stroll along the pedestrian street outside. Besides, these dolls are sold in stores; there's no need to exert such effort." She felt such an event was too childish, unfitting for her age and status.

"This is different; it holds much commemorative significance." Tang Song smiled lightly and shook his head, leaning close to Xie Shu Yu's ear to whisper, "Moreover, Sister Shu Yu is so slender; it won't take any effort at all."

Having spoken, he directly pulled her toward the registration desk.

Xie Shu Yu watched his figure, thought of his intentions, and finally compromised; unexpectedly, a trace of sweetness welled up in her heart.

Both were exceptionally outstanding individuals; appearing on site, they instantly stood out like a crane among chickens.

Some men, looking at the tall, slender, sexy, intellectual beauty beside Tang Song, turned green with envy.

After registering, the staff assigned them a number and briefly explained the rules.

After waiting over ten minutes, the host began the countdown: "Three, two, one," and the event officially commenced.

Tang Song bent slightly at the waist, wrapped his hands steadily around Xie Shu Yu's waist and legs, gave a gentle lift, and held her entire body firmly in his arms.

"Ah!" Xie Shu Yu cried out softly, her body instantly stiffening as her hands instinctively grabbed his shoulders.

The gazes of the surrounding crowd surged like a tide; a strong sense of shame rushed to her heart, causing her cheeks to flush with a dizzy blush.

"Sister Shu Yu, put your arms around my neck; don't keep such distance," Tang Song teased with a smile, casually pinching her thigh.

Xie Shu Yu was indeed very slender; her frame was delicate and slender, feeling weightless in his arms, bringing a sense of great comfort.

"Don't move recklessly!" she chided in a low voice. Sweeping her gaze over the other contestants, she found most of them in intimate postures, some even utterly uninhibited.

Looking again at her own restrained demeanor, she could not help but feel somewhat out of place.

After hesitating for a moment, she pressed her lips together, finally slowly raising her hands to encircle his neck.

To have started from nothing and reached her current level, she naturally possessed an unwillingness to admit defeat.

At this moment, the two embraced tightly in an unprecedentedly intimate posture.

Xie Shu Yu could clearly feel Tang Song's solid arms and strong muscles; she could feel the strength and warmth transmitted through their clothing.

Their gazes met in mid-air; Tang Song made no attempt to conceal the fervent emotion in his eyes; that profound gaze seemed to melt her entire being.

Immediately after, he released his left hand, supporting Xie Shu Yu's legs with only one hand, while his freed right hand smoothly took the bag from her grasp.

The movement was clean and crisp, demonstrating powerful core strength.

The two, already attracting attention, instantly became the focus of the entire venue due to Tang Song's "one-handed princess carry," drawing bursts of cheers and pushing the atmosphere to a climax.

Some women looked at Tang Song with eyes that seemed ready to melt into water; even the host could not help but joke a few times with a smile.

Xie Shu Yu's cheeks flushed with a dizzy blush; she buried her face in Tang Song's chest, hiding from the eyes staring at them from all sides.

"Thump-thump—thump-thump—" The sound of a heartbeat began echoing in her ears.

She had never experienced such intense palpitations and impulses.

Her originally mature and rational heart seemed to have regained the vitality and color of youth.

Time quietly slipped away within the subtle atmosphere; surrounding contestants abandoned the challenge one after another.

Tang Song maintained a stable posture throughout, supporting Xie Shu Yu with one hand, while sweat gradually rolled down from his forehead.

Cheers and applause rose and fell in succession.

When the host loudly announced, "Fifteen-minute achievement reached!" Tang Song carefully set her down.

Amidst the "gaze of the multitude," he cupped her dignified and bright lovely face, breathing heavily, and forcefully sealed his lips against hers.

This kiss carried the salty taste of sweat, mixed with a strong scent of hormones, as if intending to swallow Xie Shu Yu whole.

The defenses of reason began to collapse at this moment.

Xie Shu Yu hugged his waist and back, responding clumsily yet earnestly.

Lips and teeth tender, body and soul welcoming.

Her vision gradually blurred; in her ears remained only her own heartbeat and the distant cheers of the crowd.

Can it be blocked? This heart, at this moment.

It is a mountain collapsing and a tsunami rising; it is ten thousand horses and a thousand armies.