Chapter 596: Zhang Lei

Star Garden Residential Complex, Building 8, Room 501.

"Whirrr—"

The warm air from the hairdryer dispersed the steam on the mirror. Cheng Qiuqiu wiped a small patch clear with her palm, revealing her cold, elegant face, which still carried a hint of sleepiness.

Her orange-brown, slightly wavy long hair became fluffy and soft under the blowing hot air.

A scent of sweet, fruity shampoo wafted from between her strands.

Yesterday evening, it was already the early hours of the morning when she returned here with Yao Lingling.

Lingling, like an enthusiastic little squirrel, had brought her brand-new pajamas, unopened toiletries, and a soft towel.

The two of them lay on the same bed, chatting for a very, very long time.

From design to gossip, from work to food, they didn't even know when they had fallen asleep.

This was likely the first time in her life she had slept in the same bed as a friend.

The fiery and enthusiastic Lingling was restless in her sleep, occasionally even draping her leg over Qiuqiu.

Yet, she didn't feel repulsed; instead, wrapped in that vivid and lively vitality, she felt a long-lost sense of harmony and warmth.

She walked out of the bathroom door.

At a glance, she saw that energetic back on the living room floor mat.

Yao Lingling was performing a set of high-intensity glute and leg exercises.

Sweat had soaked her sports tank top, and her tight fitness leggings outlined her full, curvy hips perfectly.

She was full of healthy, exuberant vitality.

"Finished your shower, Qiuqiu!" Yao Lingling heard the movement, immediately stopped her exercise, turned around, picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from her temples, and a brilliant, cloudless smile bloomed on her face.

"Mm," Cheng Qiuqiu responded softly.

"It's almost eleven o'clock now; this meal of ours has become brunch," Yao Lingling said with a laugh, sticking out her tongue. "Wait for me a moment, I'll go take a shower and change clothes, it'll be quick!"

"It's fine, no rush."

Because the company had provided an extremely lavish late-night snack after the livestream last night, the two of them weren't particularly hungry at the moment.

Yao Lingling tidied up her things, and the two of them went downstairs together.

Walking in the old residential complex filled with the atmosphere of daily life, the late autumn morning carried a crisp chill.

The autumn wind was bleak, swirling up the fallen leaves on the ground, making a "rustling" sound by their feet.

Yet Yao Lingling was like a tireless little sun, excitedly introducing the surrounding environment to her the whole way, from which supermarket had the freshest vegetables to which corner milk tea shop was having a sale. After walking for quite a while and making two turns, the two of them arrived at a small breakfast shop.

"Boss, two bowls of vegetable tofu soup, two egg pockets, and four wild vegetable buns!" Yao Lingling ordered the meal with practiced ease, then took two small dishes of free pickles for both of them from a jar nearby.

Soon, the steaming hot breakfast was served.

Looking at Lingling's enthusiastic and thoughtful manner, and listening to her chattering arrangements.

A warm current surged in Qiuqiu's heart, and her whole person became cheerful.

She ate quietly, listening to Lingling share various foods and anecdotes.

After a while, Qiuqiu suddenly spoke up: "Lingling, have you three always rented here together?"

"Mm-hmm, yeah. Ever since graduation. Back then, Shumin and I were at the same company, and Jiahong was preparing for the civil service exam. This place is close to the school, the environment is familiar, so we just kept living here."

"Then since you've all changed jobs now, do you have any plans to move?"

Lingling paused, then swallowed the bun in her mouth and said truthfully: "Yeah! Jiahong and Shumin are at Huashang Apparel now, the benefits are great, and their company also provides a housing subsidy.

The house we're renting expires next month.

Actually, we've been looking recently, just haven't found a suitable one yet."

This was a very realistic problem.

When they first graduated, everyone started from zero and could just make do.

But now that work is stable and salaries have increased significantly, they naturally want to change to a better environment.

Hearing this, Qiuqiu was silent for a moment. Looking at Lingling, she finally gathered the courage to ask: "Then—can I rent with you guys?"

Lingling was stunned and blinked: "Aren't you living with Gao Zong?"

"Senior—is also going to change houses soon, and besides," Qiuqiu's gaze dimmed slightly, "it's a bit inconvenient for her."

Lingling made an "oh" sound, seemingly understanding something, and her eyes dimmed slightly.

Immediately, she returned to that enthusiastic manner.

She grabbed Qiuqiu's arm and said excitedly: "Okay! Of course you can! Then let's pick a suitable complex together! Four people can just rent two apartments across from each other, and we can hang out together often! You and I can rent a three-bedroom, and turn one of the rooms into our design studio, put in drawing boards, mannequin models—"

The more Yao Lingling spoke, the more excited she became, as if she had already seen the beautiful life of the future.

Listening to her plans, the heart that had been hanging in Qiuqiu's chest finally settled down securely.

She was actually very afraid of being alone, and even more afraid of renting a place by herself. Lingling was undoubtedly the most suitable person.

In that case, she wouldn't have to worry about being under Senior's nose with Tang Song—

That sense of guilt arising from "immorality" also lessened significantly.

Just don't know, what are Senior and Tang Song doing now?

10:00 AM.

Zhuxi Residential Complex.

Sunlight passed through the gaps in the thick curtains, casting a bright strip of light in the room.

On the bed, Gao Mengting lay lazily like a cat that had had all its bones removed, covered by a layer of crumpled quilt.

She moved slightly, only feeling sore all over, not even having the strength to lift a finger.

Tang Song braced himself above her, looking down at her face, which was still wet with tears and filled with pleas for mercy.

The corners of his mouth curled into a deep smile.

Immediately after, he felt a bit helpless.

His partner's body was truly too sensitive.

Clearly, she was the one who initiated the provocation, yet she lasted less than five minutes before completely surrendering.

The rest was entirely him unilaterally "torturing" her with violence.

If he were an ordinary man, that sense of achievement would definitely be maxed out.

But for him, whose endurance was now as high as 84, this was truly "unsatisfied," not even counting as a warm-up. Gao Mengting turned her head, burying her burning cheeks into the pillow.

Her voice was intermittent, carrying a sobbing tone: "I'm not in a good state today—let me rest for a while, just a while..."

Looking at his partner, who had been bullied into such a pitiful state.

Tang Song sighed and patted her round, perky hips.

He rolled over and got out of bed.

"You rest well, I have things to do, so I'm leaving. I'll be at the company this afternoon, you don't need to worry, you can sleep a bit more." "Mm~" Gao Mengting could only let out a faint nasal sound, too lazy to even open her eyelids.

Tang Song put on his clothes, and before walking out of the bedroom, he leaned over and kissed her sweat-dampened cheek lightly before striding away.

Just as he walked out of the unit door.

He saw Liu Jiayi standing next to that Rolls-Royce Phantom.

She was wearing a black autumn/winter outfit with a turtleneck sweater underneath, standing quietly in the bleak autumn wind, looking both beautiful and cold.

"Tang Zong!"

"Click—" The iconic carriage-style rear-hinged door was gently opened by her.

Tang Song nodded slightly, bent down, and sat in.

"TC Club in Changan District."

"Yes."

Accompanied by the roar of the engine, the wheels rolled over the fallen leaves on the ground, making a crisp sound.

The car slowly drove out of Zhuxi Residential Complex.

Nearly half an hour later.

It stopped slowly in front of a quiet and beautiful small building.

Tang Song stepped out of the car.

The club manager, who had been waiting at the entrance, immediately came up to greet him, a warm and respectful smile on her face.

"Mr. Tang, hello."

"Hello."

"Zhao Zong is waiting for you in the multi-functional entertainment hall on the fourth floor," the female manager said, turning to the side and making an elegant "please" gesture, leading the way herself.

Tang Song followed her through the luxurious and quiet corridor, his gaze scanning the surroundings.

According to the beautician, this place had been gifted to her by Jin Mi Shu as a welcoming gift.

The interior decoration was impeccable, and the environment was elegant and exquisite; it could be said to be one of the top high-end private clubs in Yancheng.

Taking the exclusive elevator, he went straight to the fourth floor.

There were no other guests around, and it was so quiet that only their faint footsteps could be heard.

The female manager led him to the door of an entertainment hall marked "Starry Sky Room," bowed slightly, and said: "Mr. Tang, please enter. If you have any needs, you can call me via the internal line at any time."

"Okay, thank you."

Tang Song smiled, gently pushed open the heavy door, and walked in.

The first thing that caught his eye was the soft and tech-inspired ambient lighting in the room.

Immediately after, he saw the beautician curled up in a dark green single sofa.

She was wearing a loose pink-orange home T-shirt and shorts of the same color, revealing a large expanse of smooth and delicate skin.

A head of supple wine-red long hair was draped casually over her shoulders, making her look peaceful and sexy.

Tang Song's gaze fell unconsciously on her pair of "wine glass legs" that shimmered with a faint luster under the lights.

Have to say, the beautician friend's legs are truly beautiful!

"Song Ge! You're here!"

Seeing the boyfriend who walked in, a brilliant smile bloomed on Zhao Yaqian's beautiful face.

She dropped the controller in her hand, ran over like a cannonball out of the chamber, barefoot "thump, thump, thump," and threw herself directly into his arms.

Tang Song smiled and caught her steadily.

Zhao Yaqian took the opportunity to jump lightly, and those long, plump legs skillfully wrapped around his waist, her whole person hanging tightly on him like a koala.

"Mua~ I missed you so much~ Mua~"

Her voice was coquettish and pleasant, carrying undisguised joy and deep love.

While speaking, she left one loud kiss after another on his face.

Tang Song's gaze gradually softened, and he kissed the beautician deeply.

The two of them were intimate for quite a while before slowly pulling apart.

Zhao Yaqian was still hugging his arm, her watery eyes shining.

Tang Song pointed at the screen, "Playing games?"

"Waiting for you to play together." Zhao Yaqian's eyes shimmered with anticipation. "I just checked, Steam has a lot of new two-player games, look, this 'It Takes Two' has super high ratings!"

"Okay, I'll play with you."

Tang Song pulled over the sofa next to them and sat down, taking the controller Zhao Yaqian handed him.

The two leaned together, starting to clear levels in various bizarre and strange scenes.

"Oh my! Song Ge, pull me quickly! I'm going to fall!"

"You go over there and step on that switch first! I can only get past from my side!"

"Wow! This BOSS is so ugly! Hit it! Hit it!"

Zhao Yaqian was playing with extreme immersion.

Sometimes she would exclaim due to nervousness, sometimes she would excitedly hug Tang Song's arm and jump up and down after successfully clearing a level.

Being with Tang Song, she wore all her emotions on her face, like an innocent and lively child.

In the room, it was filled with her crisp laughter, occasional screams, and the crisp "tap-tap" sound of the controller buttons.

Don't know when, the beautician had already turned and sat on Tang Song's lap, her whole person curled up in his arms.

While directing him, she was randomly pressing the controller herself.

The sound of the game became quieter and quieter, but the sound of the two people's breathing became more and more rapid.

Tang Song had already been provoked by his partner earlier; at this moment, feeling the elastic skin of his beautician friend, as well as the unique scent on the girl mixed with perfume and faint body heat.

His blood surged to his head.

He threw away the controller directly, hugged the beautician tightly, feeling the intoxicating touch on her body.

Zhao Yaqian bit her pink, tender lips, a flush of intoxication rising on her face.

The temperature in the air rose sharply.

On the screen, the two small doll characters had long since fallen off the cliff because no one was operating them.

The words GAMEOVER flashed by, and then it fell into a black screen.

The pink-orange shorts hung on a corner of the display screen.

Zhao Yaqian's snowy, delicate, and long wine glass legs began to sway in the air.

Under the reflection of the ambient light, they shone with a charming, milky halo.

At noon, the two of them, tired from playing, came to the top-floor private room.

They enjoyed an exquisite Italian home-style lunch.

Zhao Yaqian excitedly helped him cut the steak, chattering about how impressive the background of the chef here was.

Just at this moment.

"Ding-a-ling—" The phone ringtone suddenly sounded.

Tang Song picked it up and looked.

His eyebrows raised slightly, and he answered the call, "Hello? Zhang Lei."

Speaking of which, since that meal last time, the two of them hadn't really been in contact.

Mainly because both he and Zhang Lei were very busy.

Zhang Lei had just joined the Zhongcheng Group and was still in his probationary period, basically running around for business every day.

"Hello, Tang Song." Zhang Lei's obviously exhausted and low-spirited voice came through the receiver. "Is it convenient to talk now?"

"Convenient, what's wrong?"

Zhang Lei was silent for a few seconds before saying: "Are you free tonight? I want to find you to have a drink and chat."

Tang Song keenly sensed the abnormality in his voice and immediately said: "Sure, where to? Do you want me to arrange it?"

"Let's go to that Tianji Barbecue Shop from last time." Zhang Lei's voice carried a hint of bitterness. "I still have some money on the membership card at their store."

"Okay, then see you tonight."

"Mm, bye."

Before hanging up the phone, Tang Song couldn't help but ask: "Zhang Lei, did something happen?"

Zhang Lei on the other end of the phone paused for a moment and sighed heavily: "Let's talk when we meet tonight, it's quite shitty. I'm even embarrassed to tell you, sigh."

Hanging up the phone, Tang Song's eyebrows furrowed.

He could clearly feel that Zhang Lei on the other end of the phone was in very low spirits.

When they met last time, he was still high-spirited, talking about how he was going to show his skills in the Zhongcheng Group, talking about the beautiful female finance colleagues in the company, and also talking about his various plans for the future, full of drive.

It was obvious that something had happened.

During the few days he spent with Zhang Yan in Yangcheng, it reminded him of many simple and pure memories from junior high school.

Manga, handheld consoles, basketball, and skipping class—

He also happened to really want to see his former good buddy.

Have a drink with him and have a good catch-up. ===== CHAPTER 597 =====