Chapter 533: Camellias in Full Bloom, First Kiss

October 11, 2023, Cloudy, 13~23°C.

The morning sun spilled into the room through the gaps in the curtains.

Shen Yu Yan sat up from the bed, rubbing her slightly tired eyes.

Her movements were slow and lazy, as if she were still immersed in some thoughts and unable to fully extract herself.

Hugging her knees, curled up at the head of the bed, her gaze was blank.

Last night she had a dream, a very bizarre sweet dream.

In the dream, she returned to her university days.

Once again becoming that school beauty who was surrounded by stars and had the most limelight.

In the dream, she rushed directly into the lecture hall, sat beside Tang Song amidst everyone's shock, and took the initiative to confess to him.

Successfully becoming his girlfriend.

The two started a romantic campus love on campus.

They bathed in spring rain, welcomed the summer, blew through the autumn wind, and stepped on the winter snow.

Every scene was as beautiful as a movie screen.

After being in a daze for a long time, Shen Yu Yan shook her head and gradually detached from the fantasy. 【533

As for Tang Song, to say there is no good feeling or that she doesn't like him is impossible.

The reason for having such a dream is ultimately her own inner regret and longing.

Regretting why she didn't discover him in university:

Longing that if she could become his official girlfriend, she could not only enjoy the sweetness of love but also use his power to achieve class leap.

But reality is not Xu Qing's novel, where do so many miracles happen?

Looked at the time.

7:02.

Shen Yu Yan put on a loose knit cardigan and walked into the opposite room in slippers.

The door wasn't locked, and it opened with a light push.

The light in the room was soft, and Xu Qing was curled up in the quilt, crystal-clear saliva hanging from the corner of her mouth, occasionally making "smacking" sounds, sleeping extremely sweetly.

Shen Yu Yan stood by the bed, pursed her lips and smiled lightly, watching her quietly for a long while, her gaze as gentle as water.

Xu Qing's personality is always so lively, and she has no schemes.

Since high school, she has always been "covered" by Shen Yu Yan, and for more than ten years, she has always maintained this innocent appearance.

Every time she sees her, Shen Yu Yan can't help but think of those green years they spent together.

She walked to the bedside, lifted the quilt, reached out and patted her best friend's plump little butt, "Get up, Qingqing."

"Mmm~~ Tang Song, you're so bad, hitting my butt again—" A low moan sounded.

Shen Yu Yan was slightly startled, her face flushed, and then her gaze dimmed.

She could see that Xu Qing really liked Tang Song, but she still chose a way that might hurt her best friend.

Sighing, Shen Yu Yan took off her shoes and crawled into the quilt.

Hugging Xu Qing from behind, looking at her playful face, she kissed her lightly on it, her tone low: "I'm sorry, forgive me, my dear big silly Qing."

"Hate~~ You hateful little Song Zi, what are you trying to do again— Careful, I'll have Sister Yan Yan hit you—."

Hearing her words, Shen Yu Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud, reached in and tickled her lightly, "Big silly Qing, the sun is already hitting your butt."

"Hmm" Xu Qing turned over in a daze, her eyes opened a slit, and after seeing it was her best friend, she buried her face in her chest again, muttering indistinctly: "Don't bother me— Let me sleep for another five minutes—"

"If you don't get up, I'll use up all your sunscreen spray!"

"Use it as you like— Your sister Qingqing isn't short of money now. I have lots and lots of little money. Hehe."

Shen Yu Yan couldn't help but laugh, patted her, "Little Song Zi is coming to hit your butt, run!"

"Ah!" Xu Qing let out a low cry, sat up abruptly, covered her butt in a panic with both hands, her dark eyes looking left and right, "Can't hit! Can't hit!"

"0(∩_∩)0 Haha~" Shen Yu Yan patted her little butt, "Don't say, it's quite comfortable to hit, no wonder Tang Song likes it."

"Oh my! You hateful scheming Yan, you're playing with me!" Xu Qing pounced on her with claws and teeth, "wrestling" with her best friend.

Rolling around on the soft mattress.

The two played around for a long while, their cheeks flushed.

A moment later, Shen Yu Yan suddenly pinched her cheek and said casually: "Qingqing, if one day I did something to let you down, would you forgive me?"

Xu Qing was stunned, "You say it like we're a couple, what? Do you have someone behind my back?"

"Just pretend we're a couple, I'm just asking you, hurry up and say it!"

Xu Qing squinted her eyes proudly, "Not forgive! At least I'll punish you by helping me wash my underwear and socks for a month!"

(*)

Shen Yu Yan heard this, her eye sockets slightly hot, and she didn't say anything more, just hugged her tightly.

This best friend who has accompanied her for more than ten years always supports her and trusts her without reservation, and even willingly gives up many things for her.

"Ouch, what are you doing, why are you so sticky today!"

"What's wrong? We used to sleep in the same quilt, now that you have a boyfriend, it's not okay?"

"No way! I can't sleep because you're tossing me around, I'm going to get up and pee."

"Don't go yet, tell me about you and Tang Song."

"What is there that you don't know? Didn't I tell you everything."

"There's one aspect you haven't mentioned yet." Shen Yu Yan whispered in her ear and laughed out loud.

The room became "hee-hee haha" again.

Spring light is infinite.

Zhuxi Residential Quarter.

The sound of turning pages sounded from time to time, accompanied by the slight friction of paper, appearing exceptionally quiet.

Gao Mengting curled up on the lazy sofa, her fair and beautiful feet stepping on a low stool, occasionally swaying slightly.

Once, one of her life plans was to find her own "Mr. Darcy."

After returning to Yancheng from Wushan this time, flipping through "Pride and Prejudice" again, those words seemed to have new meaning.

She and Tang Song have already reached an intimate relationship, the kind where they can perceive each other's existence without words.

But even so, Gao Mengting still felt a layer of invisible barrier between them.

Like mist, yet real.

That partner who co-founded Songmei Apparel with her, confident and free-spirited but always carrying a hint of mystery, is just like Mr. Darcy in the book, always showing unexpected gentleness at critical moments.

But it is precisely this restraint and distance that makes Gao Mengting a little troubled.

"Perhaps we also need a conversation in the rain like the one outside Pemberley Manor."

After being in a daze for a while, Gao Mengting finally put down the book and stood up.

The sunlight spilled on her side face, reflecting a faint warmth.

Came to the dressing table and started to put on makeup.

Changed into autumn clothes and walked into the living room.

Immediately after, she sniffed, looking strangely in the direction of the kitchen.

Slight footsteps came from the direction of the kitchen, Cheng Qiuqiu walked out with a plate of stir-fried spinach, and whispered: "Senior sister, good morning."

"Qiuqiu?" Gao Mengting blinked, a smile curling her lips, "I thought you went to the company."

This junior sister has been like a workaholic recently, as if she had been injected with chicken blood.

She leaves on her motorcycle before dawn every day and returns late at night, wishing she could spend 24 hours a day in the office.

By comparison, she herself wasn't this desperate even when she was busiest.

"No..." Cheng Qiuqiu's expression was slightly unnatural, "I got up late today, and my work is all done, just waiting for the leader to check it."

"Thank you for your hard work, working so hard and also cooking for me." Gao Mengting's tone was gentle.

"It's okay."

Cheng Qiuqiu sat down at the dining table and ate with her head down,

Last night, she had insomnia until 2 AM, and now she was still a bit listless.

The main reason was that her "lewd" behavior in the president's office was caught by her good friend Lingling.

That sense of shame still hasn't faded.

She always felt like she was a voyeur, coveting the treasure that Senior Sister Kate cherished.

Every time she thought of that scene, she felt flustered.

Senior sister was so good to her and helped her enter Songmei Apparel, but now senior sister has already returned from Wushan.

She has already made up her mind to try not to contact Tang Song in private in the future and try to keep her distance.

"By the way, Qiuqiu, there will be a big meeting this morning, you will also attend, prepare in advance." Gao Mengting chewed the spinach and said with a smile: "Tang Song is finally back, I can relax for a while."

Hearing this, Cheng Qiuqiu blurted out: "Tang Zong is going to the company today?"

"Yeah, if he doesn't come again, our company employees will forget him as the boss."

"Um." Cheng Qiuqiu pursed her lips, expressionless, but her heartbeat suddenly started to accelerate.

It had only been half a month since they last met, but she didn't know why, she missed him extremely and longed to see him.

After breakfast, Gao Mengting started to clean up the kitchen, and Cheng Qiuqiu slipped into the bedroom to change clothes.

Then they went to work together in a Mercedes E.

Yunxi Building, Songmei Apparel.

After greeting her colleagues, Cheng Qiuqiu sat at her workstation, her gaze looking toward the president's office from time to time.

She pursed her lips slightly, her fingers tapping the desktop lightly, as if waiting for something.

9:30 AM.

A notification was sent in the work group: All employees at the team leader level and above, go to the large conference room to gather.

Cheng Qiuqiu took a deep breath, tidied up her hairstyle and collar in the small mirror next to her, and stood up to follow her colleagues toward the conference room.

She is the team leader of the brand visual group and also the only employee, so she naturally has the qualifications to attend the meeting.

As they approached the large conference room, the surrounding atmosphere quickly became lively.

Employees gathered in twos and threes to whisper, their faces filled with excitement and expectation.

Just at this moment, a commotion came from the front.

Accompanied by the enthusiastic greetings of colleagues: "Tang Zong!", "Good morning, Tang Zong!"

Cheng Qiuqiu quickly raised her head, her gaze looking straight in the direction the sound came from.

After half a month, Tang Song's figure appeared in her sight again.

At that moment, she even had a dreamlike sense of blurriness.

He was wearing a well-tailored dark gray business suit with a light blue shirt underneath, no tie, looking casual yet solemn.

A few strands of hair on his forehead shone in the morning light, and he looked handsome, confident, and free-spirited.

"Wow! Tang Zong is getting more and more handsome"

"Yeah, every time we have a meeting, it feels like watching an idol drama."

Several female employees around exchanged glances secretly, unable to help whispering, and in Cheng Qiuqiu's eyes, Tang Song at this moment seemed to be glowing.

An unprecedented sense of security, intimacy, and attachment surged into her heart, making her eyes slightly moist.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone has done a great job during this time!"

Tang Song had a bright smile on his face, his voice clear and magnetic.

His gaze swept across the crowd, landing on everyone.

Their gazes met, Cheng Qiuqiu's footsteps moved, and she subconsciously wanted to walk toward him.

But then she noticed Gao Mengting standing beside him.

Because she came with the senior sister, she keenly noticed that the lipstick on the senior sister's lips had changed color.

This meant that she and Tang Zong had kissed before the meeting, and it must have been intense.

Just when she was in a daze, several female anchors, including He Yiyi and Li Qingya, squeezed up directly.

He Yiyi even hugged Tang Song, appearing exceptionally intimate.

An inexplicable emotion surged into her heart, jealousy, loss, urgency... Cheng Qiuqiu couldn't suppress the impulse in her heart.

She took a few steps forward and stood in front of Tang Song, "Good morning, Tang Zong."

Although her expression remained indifferent, there was a hint of trembling in her voice.

"Morning." Tang Song nodded with a smile, then asked, "Where is Lingling? Why don't I see her?"

Cheng Qiuqiu lowered her head and answered: "Lingling is at Huashang Apparel this morning for a meeting, saying that she is going to start designing the first version of the clothing."

"Um, okay." Tang Song didn't say much and walked into the large conference room.

Watching his back, Cheng Qiuqiu only felt a sense of blockage, grievance, and loss in her heart.

They chatted quite well on WeChat, but after meeting again, she didn't seem special in his eyes, just like an ordinary employee.

Even the first sentence he asked was to care about Lingling.

It seems he doesn't really care about her.

Her hand tightened on her laptop, her breathing gradually becoming rapid.

Above her head, the 【Dream Flower Seed】 swayed gently, stretching its branches, seeming to be a bit brighter than before.

More than 20 people quickly poured into the bright large conference room.

Tang Song stood next to the projector, holding the remote control in his hand.

He looked around and spoke slowly: "Everyone, thank you for your efforts during this time. First of all, congratulations to us, during the entire National Day holiday, the store's sales exceeded 20 million, and the single-day sales broke the record!"

Enthusiastic cheers and applause sounded instantly.

Immediately after, the meeting officially began.

During this time, although Tang Song was running around, he didn't fall behind in his work.

He even perfected the subsequent development plan with Gao Mengting.

During this period after the holiday.

Songmei Apparel will fully operate accounts like "He Yiyi Life Account" and "Beauty Account" to form a traffic matrix.

The monthly investment budget will be increased to 2 million.

Establish a flexible supply chain in cooperation with Huashang Apparel, achieving orders starting from 50 pieces and 7-day fast response, reducing inventory risk, and supporting rapid replenishment of hot items.

It is expected that within one month, the proportion of self-owned brand HEYISTUDIO design models will increase to 30%, increasing the customer unit price and fan stickiness through differentiated design.

The team will be expanded to more than 120 people to support branding and product selection optimization.

Build an intelligent warehousing management system to dynamically monitor the ratio of hot item replenishment to slow-moving items.

His voice was steady and powerful, carrying a strong infectious power, gradually pushing the atmosphere to a climax.

After a full hour.

The meeting officially ended.

Tang Song closed the laptop in his hand, stood up, and talked and laughed with the surrounding colleagues.

His gaze swept over inadvertently, pausing slightly on Cheng Qiuqiu.

She was looking down at the computer screen, her expression focused and quiet, appearing somewhat indifferent, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.

Tang Song raised his eyebrows, didn't say much, and turned to walk out.

Cheng Qiuqiu raised her head, her gaze following the direction Tang Song left, but her mind was churning like stirred lake water. The surrounding colleagues gradually dispersed, and only the sound of a few people packing up remained in the conference room.

She still sat in the chair without saying a word, her hands resting on the keyboard, her fingertips pressing hard on the keycaps.

Lines of meaningless letters jumped out on the screen.

For a time, all kinds of negative emotions came one after another.

Self-doubt, depression, sourness, pain...

These emotions engulfed her like a tide.

She even had an extreme idea: use resignation to stimulate him, attract his attention, make him care about her, and keep her.

This kind of thought was as absurd and ridiculous as a rebellious child deliberately provoking their parents, yet it grew wildly in her heart uncontrollably.

"Buzz buzz buzz—" The phone on the table vibrated, interrupting her thoughts.

Cheng Qiuqiu turned her head stiffly, her gaze falling on the phone screen, and she froze instantly.

【Tang Song: "Qiuqiu, come to my office for a moment (#smiley face)."】

A short message, but Cheng Qiuqiu read it many times, every word seeming to ignite some kind of desire in her heart.

The heartbeat amplified in her ears, and even her fingertips trembled slightly.

Cheng Qiuqiu stood up slowly and walked quickly toward the president's office.

"Knock knock knock—" The sound of knocking on the door sounded.

"Come in."

Cheng Qiuqiu took a deep breath and pushed open the door of the president's office.

Sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the whole room. Tang Song was standing next to the desk, flipping through a document.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, he raised his head and revealed a gentle and intimate smile: "Qiuqiu, you're here?"

Qiuqiu's lips moved, seeming to want to say something, but in the end, she said: "Tang Zong, were you looking for me?"

Tang Song put down the document in his hand, his gaze swept over her appreciatively, and his lips curled into an approving smile: "Today's outfit suits you very well, it's very beautiful."

Qiuqiu was obviously carefully dressed today, her hairstyle was combed meticulously, and her makeup was elegant and exquisite, setting off her cold and glamorous temperament.

A white shirt paired with light blue jeans, simple yet fashionable and sexy.

Showing her perfect body curves to the fullest.

Manga chest, slender waist, round buttocks, long legs, butterfly back... every arc was like a work of art carefully carved.

Paired with her exquisite and cold imperial sister face, the whole person radiated a charm that was hard to ignore.

In terms of body proportions alone, she had a standard manga body, nine-head golden ratio, which could be called perfect.

Even somewhat similar to Su Yu.

This is also the main reason why she is considered "like Su Yu" by others.

Looking at her at this moment, Tang Song's mind couldn't help but conjure up the girl Qiuqiu from his dreams.

His gaze became soft.

Noticing Tang Song's gaze, Cheng Qiuqiu bit her lip, feeling inexplicably flustered in her heart.

"This... this outfit is one of the main ones pushed by our live broadcast room. The operations team asked me to be a model before, took a few photos, and gave the clothes to me."

She didn't know why, but she subconsciously wanted to dress attractively today, and even deliberately opened two buttons on her collar.

"Oh?" Tang Song raised his eyebrows and walked to Qiuqiu.

His gaze paused on the top of her head first.

It had been a while since he last saw her, the 【Dream Flower Seedling】 had grown much larger, and the light fell on her, as if she were plated with a layer of radiance, beautiful beyond words.

Immediately, his gaze moved down, and he began to look at her outfit carefully, becoming more and more satisfied.

The 【Self-Cultivation of a Warm Man】 task released by Little Umbrella has two challenges.

The first is "The Beauty's Proactive First Kiss";

The second is "A Date with Silly Girlfriends," and it requires 3 people to wear the same outfit.

In a short period of time, choosing suitable matching outfits for three girlfriends with different body types is indeed a bit tricky.

However, fortunately, Songmei Apparel is exactly in this business.

Take the main push model Qiuqiu is wearing, all sizes are available in the warehouse, which can be used directly, saving a lot of trouble.

Thinking of the first challenge task, Tang Song's gaze couldn't help but fall on that cold imperial sister face, and his heartbeat accelerated a bit.

It seems that a designer friend is also a good choice.

The 【Dream Flower Seed】 can not only improve comprehension but also increase charm by a little.

And its growth speed and number of flowers depend on the energy provided by the "planter," as well as Qiuqiu's desire to feed him back.

Now he has already had two dream connections with Qiuqiu, and the relationship in the dream is extremely intimate.

Is it too much to have appropriate intimate contact in reality?

After finding a plausible excuse for himself, Tang Song turned and went behind the desk.

Took an exquisite cowhide envelope from the drawer and placed it gently in front of Qiuqiu.

"This is—" Qiuqiu was stunned, her gaze falling on the envelope in front of her, her voice carrying a hint of doubt and expectation.

Tang Song's lips curled into a gentle smile, his tone soft: "I went to Modu during the holiday, this is a gift I brought for you."

"My... my gift?" Qiuqiu's full chest heaved, and her fair cheeks were quickly dyed with a layer of flushed red.

In those cold and glamorous eyes, surprise and unease that could not be concealed flickered.

"Um." Tang Song handed it forward, "Open it and see if you like it, this is a surprise I prepared specifically for you, I spent a lot of effort for this."

This was indeed a fact, in order to satisfy Miss Su Yu's requirements, he worked extra hard.

Qiuqiu subconsciously reached out to take it, and when her fingertips touched the smooth cowhide surface, the whole person seemed to be overwhelmed by happiness, and even her speech became stuttering, "Thank you—thank you—you spent your effort—"

Tang Song's gift?!

A gift Tang Song gave me?

A surprise prepared specifically for me?!

Joy almost engulfed her, and her eyelashes were trembling.

Took a deep breath, carefully opened the envelope, and her fingers touched a thick and smooth piece of paper.

After pulling it out slowly, an exquisite photo came into view.

"Su Yu!"

Qiuqiu exclaimed, her eyes widened in disbelief, her expression completely out of control.

In the photo, Su Yu is dressed in ancient costume, her temperament is ethereal like a fairy, beautiful and unreal, like a fairy walking out of a dream.

Her features are exquisite and three-dimensional, and a kind of extraordinary charm flows between her brows, as if it were the thin mist sprinkled on the petals when the morning light first appeared, hazy and dreamy.

As a hardcore fan, Cheng Qiuqiu recognized at a glance that this should be a scene from a movie Su Yu is about to release at the end of the year.

But she can confirm that there is no such still photo on the internet.

Otherwise, it would definitely be on the hot search.

More importantly, below the photo, are two words written in a flying dragon and dancing phoenix style—Su Yu.

A real signed photo!

It is also something she has always dreamed of.

Just at this moment, the 【Dream Flower Seed】 on the top of her head suddenly swayed violently.

The emerald green light became brighter, and the branches and leaves stretched out rapidly, as if responding to the excitement and joy in her heart.

"How is it, do you like it?"

Qiuqiu's body stiffened, her voice trembling: "I like it, thank you, Tang Song."

Because she was too excited, she even called him by his name directly.

"There's more surprise." Tang Song smiled mysteriously, his gaze becoming softer.

Qiuqiu was stunned, not understanding what he meant.

Tang Song pointed to the signed photo and prompted: "Turn it over and take a look."

Qiuqiu obediently turned the photo over.

Immediately after, two lines of elegant and meaningful handwriting came into view.

【Qiuqiu should be like a camellia, blooming brightly even in winter】

【Love, your Su Yu~_】

The office instantly became exceptionally quiet, with only Qiuqiu's rapid breathing.

She held the signed photo, looked at the "Su Yu's Message" on the back, and her mind went blank.

Tears welled up in her eyes unknowingly.

This sentence has extraordinary significance for her.

In this world, only one person often said this sentence to her—her grandmother.

When her grandmother was sick and hospitalized, she had held her hand countless times and told her in a weak voice: "Qiu girl should be like a camellia, blooming brightly even in winter."

That was her grandmother's expectation for her, and also the softest memory in the depths of her heart.

And now, this sentence actually appeared under the pen of her idol Su Yu, and was handed to her through Tang Song.

Like a coincidence and gift of fate.

She could no longer suppress the impulse in her heart and hugged him tightly.

Sobbing sounds rang out.

Tang Song, like in the dream, reached out and patted her back gently, "It's okay, Qiuqiu."

After a long time, Qiuqiu finally stopped.

She raised her head, looking blankly at Tang Song's "familiar" figure, breathing the "familiar" scent on him, feeling his "familiar" comfort.

She seemed to see a kind of causality in the dark.

Their gazes stared at each other.

Tang Song's hand pressed slightly against her thin back, leaning toward her.

Their breathing was audible between them.

Ten seconds later.

Qiuqiu's gaze gradually lost focus, and she didn't know if it was an illusion, but she saw encouragement and expectation in Tang Song's eyes,

an unspeakable impulse surged into her heart, she stood on tiptoe by some strange chance, and suddenly kissed him.

Above her head, the 【Dream Flower Seed】 swayed more violently, and the emerald green light turned into fine rays of light, sprinkling on Qiuqiu.

In just a few seconds, a white camellia bloomed quietly in the halo, its petals crystal clear, emitting a soft light.

"Ding! Congratulations to the player, the first flower of the 【Dream Flower Seed】 has bloomed successfully!"

Immediately after, the camellia on Qiuqiu's head turned into a star, sinking into his body.

Tang Song's mind was clear for a moment.

【Comprehension +1】