Chapter 624: Breakup, School Anniversary

A muffled "thud."

Liu Qingning's body suddenly buckled, one hand pressing heavily onto the solid rosewood dining table, the other clutching her head tightly.

The migraine that had just disappeared for a month came surging back.

"Qingning!"

The expression on Su Yu's face was instantly replaced by panic.

She stepped forward quickly, grabbing Liu Qingning's swaying body, her voice filled with immense terror: "What's wrong with you?!"

She could clearly feel Liu Qingning's body trembling slightly, a layer of fine, cold sweat seeping from her forehead, her face deathly pale. She had come over impulsively because Tang Song was going to meet Jin Meixiao next month.

If—if something really happened to Liu Qingning because of her own provocation and instigation.

Then everything would be over!

"I'll call an ambulance right now! Wait for me!"

Su Yu hurriedly took out her phone from her bag, but her arm was gripped tightly by a cold hand.

Liu Qingning looked at her, those eyes, unfocused from the intense pain, burning with an unprecedented, stubborn flame.

She spoke with difficulty, every word squeezed out from between her teeth:

"I—I'm fine. It's just a migraine, an old ailment, it'll pass soon. What—what did you mean just now? Jin Dongshi?

How—how is that possible?"

In the difficult worldview she had long since constructed—

She and Tang Song had a deep, unparalleled relationship spanning over a decade.

Later, the charming Wen Ruan suddenly appeared, and after struggling, she forced herself to try to accept it.

Even later, she accidentally discovered Su Yu's existence.

She viewed the other woman as the ultimate, most powerful rival in her long-distance love race; although fearful and timid, she secretly gathered her courage,

preparing to face it bravely.

But now, Su Yu was telling her that the real "Big Demon King" was someone else entirely.

Who was Jin Meixiao?

She had known since her university days.

The 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year, a representative of young business leaders, a *Time* magazine cover star, with an investment footprint spanning the globe—the ubiquitous "Smile"—

Of course, the reason she was so terrified by Su Yu's words was also because.

She had already known before that Tang Song and Jin Meixiao knew each other.

Behind 【Qingning Technology】 and 【Tang Zong Entertainment】, there were shadows of 【Smile Holdings】.

After graduating from university, the first company Tang Song joined was Meigou Technology; the chairman of Meigou at the time was none other than Jin Meixiao.

And that ambiguously-behaved Qin Yingxue.

She had guessed before that there must be secrets hidden behind this that she didn't yet know.

But she thought it involved some cutting-edge technological innovation or deeper capital cooperation.

She had never dared to imagine that Tang Song and Jin Meixiao would know each other in a different kind of relationship.

Su Yu reached out to massage her temples, her voice full of worry: "Let's go to the hospital first. Once you've recovered, we can talk about this topic, okay?"

She couldn't afford the charge of "persecuting" Tang Song's white moonlight, nor did she dare take any more risks.

"No! I want to know now!" Liu Qingning's voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of hysterical persistence. "Tell me!

I must know!"

"This—" Su Yu looked at her eyes, which seemed almost ready to burn, gritted her teeth and said: "Tang Song and Jin Meixiao have known each other since 2016. They cooperated to create Smile Holdings. The reason I acted impulsively and did those wrong things to you was, in the final analysis, because of Jin Meixiao. She has been threatening me, not letting me get close to Tang Song..."

Then, Su Yu began to whisper. From her perspective, Jin Meixiao was an absolutely ruthless Big Demon King.

Because of Tang Song's intimate relationship with her, Jin Meixiao targeted her in every way, repeatedly suppressing and "persecuting" her.

From forcibly pushing the capital restructuring and IPO process of 【Tang Zong Entertainment】, making her lose partial control of the company; to arranging the dense global concert tour that almost drove her crazy, exhausting her energy; to signing a series of time-consuming and laborious commercial endorsements in Tang Song's name...

Liu Qingning listened blankly, lips pressed tightly, saying nothing.

She even seemed to have forgotten her migraine.

When Su Yu's voice finally stopped, the private room fell into a dead silence.

Only then did she ask in a low voice, as if in a dream: "Do you have any evidence?"

Su Yu paused, as if she had long expected her to ask this. She took out her phone, unlocked the screen, tapped on a photo she had prepared long ago, and gently placed it in front of Liu Qingning.

Liu Qingning slowly lowered her head.

The background of the photo was an office that looked extremely private, decorated in a steady and luxurious style.

Tang Song sat upright behind a large desk, holding a fountain pen, his posture elegant and relaxed.

The famous Jin Dongshi, wearing her signature professional attire, stood quietly by his side, her gaze soft and focused on him.

She stared blankly at Tang Song in the photo.

That must have been what he looked like in his sophomore year, his face still carrying the high spirits of a young man; it was the appearance she was most familiar with.

But his gaze—those eyes that always carried sunshine and smiles—were now exceptionally sharp and deep, even carrying a hint of unfamiliar indifference belonging to someone in a position of power.

As if he were the true master of that room.

Looking at Liu Qingning's eyes, which had become hollow and unfocused due to the massive shock, Su Yu's heart tightened.

She worried that the other woman might really be triggered into having an incident.

She put away her phone and leaned forward slightly: "To be honest, I am indeed jealous of you. And it's not just me; I believe Jin Meixiao is equally jealous of you."

Liu Qingning slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

A hint of extremely complex emotion flickered in Su Yu's amber eyes.

"Because Tang Song is completely different with you; you are the most special one."

"In front of people like us, he is calculating and mysterious. He always wears a mask; you can never see his true self."

"But only in front of you does he shed all disguises and auras, becoming vivid and pure."

"He discards all those awe-inspiring achievements and interacts with you as the most authentic, even slightly clumsy, 'Tang Song.' From high school to university, and then to the Imperial Capital later—"

"Qingning, what you possess is his most precious original intention, the one he least wants to be contaminated by anyone. I am jealous of you, jealous to the point of madness.

That's why, after being suppressed and provoked by Jin Meixiao time and time again, I did those wrong things—"

Su Yu's voice grew lower and lower, tears gushing from her eyes, and sobbing sounds began.

The expression on her face held pain, fragility, embarrassment, and grievance.

This superstar diva displayed her most heart-wrenching side.

Liu Qingning lowered her head, and after a long silence, slowly said: "Miss Su Yu... the information you've given—it's too much. I'm sorry, my mind is very confused right now. I want to be alone for a while."

"Do you really not need me to accompany you to the hospital?"

"No need, thank you."

Su Yu looked at her expression, wiped away her tears, and then nodded: "Alright, then I won't disturb you. Coming here this time was also because I wanted to get to know you in advance. After all, we will be seeing each other in Modu later. I hope we can become close friends in the future."

After speaking, she picked up the bag placed to the side, put on her sunglasses, and turned to walk out of the private room.

The heavy door closed gently behind her, instantly cutting off all light from the room.

The moment she stepped out of the executive restaurant.

The sadness, fragility, and guilt on Su Yu's face faded away like a receding tide.

The Best Actress's performance had concluded.

"Sister Yu." Personal assistant Cheng Xiaoxi stepped up to meet her.

Su Yu nodded slightly: "Let's go, to see Wen Ruan."

Imperial Capital, Financial Street, a building with brilliant lights.

Several security personnel with solemn expressions passed through the glass revolving door first, quickly standing firm on both sides of the entrance.

Their gazes scanned the surroundings vigilantly, clearing an invisible passage.

Following closely behind were a group of men and women in suits, exuding powerful auras.

Surrounded by the crowd, Jin Mi Shu's figure slowly appeared.

She was wearing a dark gray double-sided cashmere coat, paired with a simple turtleneck sweater underneath, which set off her perfect shoulder and neck lines and fair skin even more outstandingly.

"Click—"

The rear door of the Maybach was opened gently.

Jin Mi Shu nodded slightly to the crowd behind her and sat into the car with an elegant posture.

The car started steadily, merging silently into the river of traffic on Changan Street.

The temperature inside the car was comfortable, and the air was quiet.

Shangguan Qiuya turned slightly, her voice steady and respectful:

"Jin Dongshi, Tian Jing has arrived in the Imperial Capital this afternoon and has successfully taken over the relevant affairs of 【Jingyi Asset Management】."

"At the same time, she submitted an application to me, hoping to meet with you. The reason for the application is regarding her job transfer."

"As far as I know, this matter was personally arranged by President Tang."

Jin Mi Shu leaned back on the large, soft leather seat, her lip line straight: "Then set it for tomorrow. You arrange the specific time."

"Understood." Shangguan Qiuya continued to report while recording: "On the Shencheng side, Director Ouyang had her first formal meeting with Miss Wen Ruan this morning at the Tang Yi Precision branch. The two had lunch together, and the meeting lasted nearly three hours."

She stated the details she had organized in advance one by one—from the duration of the conversation and the changes in their expressions upon leaving, to Wen Ruan's subsequent itinerary.

Jin Mi Shu's long, curled eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she were lost in thought, and she responded lightly: "Hmm."

Shangguan Qiuya's voice lowered a bit: "There is one more thing. Just now, Su Yu and the employees of Tang Zong Entertainment went to Qingning Technology together and officially met with Liu Qingning."

"After the meeting ended, Liu Qingning's emotions seemed very unstable. She stayed alone in the private room for a long time, and she should have returned to her residence by now."

Hearing this.

Hearing this, Jin Mi Shu sat up slightly, her eyes clear, and a smile of unknown meaning appeared at the corners of her lips.

As if she had expected it.

After pondering for a moment, she said lightly: "Notify Qin Yingxue: if Liu Qingning wants to intervene in the personnel of Qingning Technology, let her do as she pleases. Additionally, hint to her about the importance of Tang Yi Precision to Tang Song."

"Understood."

"And one more thing—" Jin Mi Shu's gaze looked toward the night view rapidly receding outside the window, her tone still calm: "For the Star Fall Light Realm project,"

"let her participate as much as possible."

Shangguan Qiuya asked tentatively: "Received. As for Tian Jing, our original plan was—"

"Since President Tang has other arrangements for her, then cancel all previous plans."

Shangguan Qiuya responded and handed over the tablet: "This is the information you asked me to organize."

Jin Mi Shu took it casually, her fingertips sliding gently across the screen, finally stopping on a photo.

The woman in the photo had a soft appearance and a gentle temperament.

Shangguan Qiuya supplemented at the side at the appropriate time:

"The Double Eleven promotion of 【Songmei Apparel】 was very successful, with monthly sales about to exceed 100 million. The first step of branding can be considered stable. This Miss Gao Mengting, as the company's executive vice president, played a crucial role in the entire process. Whether in team management or strategic execution, her ability is very outstanding."

After looking for a moment, Jin Mi Shu suddenly looked up and asked a question that Shangguan Qiuya did not expect:

"Do you think she looks a bit like me?"

Shangguan Qiuya glanced at the photo on the screen, was slightly stunned, and immediately said: "Her appearance does indeed look a bit like yours, but she is not as—exquisite and grand as you, and her figure and temperament are also much worse."

She paused and continued to flatter in a tone of stating facts:

"And I discovered that 【Songmei Apparel】, which President Tang co-founded with her, from the naming of 'Songmei' to the visual style of the brand 【HEYISTUDIO】,"

"seems to have inextricable links with your aesthetic preferences."

Upon hearing this, the corners of Jin Mi Shu's lips curved even shallower.

Looking at Gao Mengting on the screen, she flipped through the photos behind, a light of unfathomable depth rising in the bottom of her eyes.

The interior of the car fell into extreme silence.

After a long time.

Jin Mi Shu finally moved her gaze away and placed the tablet computer aside casually.

She looked out the window.

The brilliant night view of the Imperial Capital flowed across the car window, reflecting her beautiful and peerless face, making it flicker in and out of light.

November 17, 2023, Friday, sunny, 0~13°C.

5:30 AM.

Tang Song slowly opened his eyes, a faint fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose.

In the darkness, the sound of Gao Mengting's even and long breathing came from his side.

Last night, the two worked overtime until 10 PM, so he took the opportunity to invite her to Yanjing Tiancheng.

The partner who opened her heart to him only hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

During the night, the two played two more ball games intermittently in the room.

The partner was excited every time, invested and enthusiastic, but unfortunately, she was too weak, only lasting ten minutes at the longest.

Tang Song pinched her cheek, got out of bed lightly, and changed into the 【Outfit - Vitality Unlimited】 sportswear.

He came to the living room.

Outside the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, the moon was still hanging in the sky, and Yancheng was still in its sleep.

Just as he started warming up, "Ding ding ding~" the ringtone of a WeChat video call rang.

【Qingning】

Tang Song smiled and immediately pressed the answer button.

Liu Qingning's familiar face instantly occupied the entire screen.

Her smooth long hair was rarely tied into a refreshing bun, revealing a smooth and full forehead, looking exceptionally cute.

"Morning, Qingning, why so early today?"

Because winter was approaching, dawn came late, and Liu Qingning's wake-up time had been pushed back quite a bit recently.

"Couldn't sleep, so I got up." Liu Qingning moved her phone, and her entire upper body appeared on the screen.

She was only wearing a tight black spaghetti-strap sports vest, perfectly outlining the contour of her full and plump chest.

Tang Song's gaze was involuntarily attracted to it.

It was really because the contrast between this white moonlight's pure and cute face and her domineering large E was too strong.

"How is your body recently? It's cooled down in the south too, you didn't get sick, right?"

"No, it's quite good." Liu Qingning's voice was a bit dry, and she didn't seem to notice his gaze, walking straight toward the walk-in closet.

"That's good, your body is relatively weak, you should still pay more attention usually."

"Hmm, I'll change my clothes before exercising."

Liu Qingning said, placing her phone casually on a cabinet in the walk-in closet, the camera happening to face her upper body.

Immediately after, she bent down and started taking off her pajama pants.

Because of the angle, Tang Song couldn't see her lower body, only the breathtaking curve squeezed out under the black spaghetti-strap vest when she bent down, as well as the black underwear faintly visible on her waist.

This was even more tempting than seeing it directly.

Tang Song's breathing began to become rapid, his gaze fixed on the white moonlight on the screen without blinking.

Subsequently, Liu Qingning turned around, back to the camera, and started taking off the black spaghetti-strap vest on her body.

The screen in front of Tang Song was instantly covered by a large area of fair and smooth skin.

Liu Qingning picked up a set of off-white sportswear from the hanger next to her and started putting it on unhurriedly.

Her full and plump chest, in an unconstrained state, drew a dazzling arc with her movements.

Because of the reason of "fine branches bearing heavy fruit," even from behind, many contours could be seen.

Tang Song's breathing was completely messed up, and he had no intention of continuing to exercise.

"Qingning, this sportswear of yours is too thin, it's cold outside, you'll catch a cold. Why don't you change into a thicker one? I'll help you pick, okay?"

"No."

Liu Qingning didn't bother with him anymore, turned around, and tidied her outfit in front of the mirror on her own.

Then, she picked up her phone and came to the treadmill in the corner of the living room.

She set up the camera and started a steady jog.

Tang Song suppressed the restlessness in his heart and continued to exercise with her.

Time passed bit by bit in this silent and tacit companionship.

Half an hour later.

Liu Qingning's movements slowly stopped.

She walked to the camera, bent down slightly, hands on her knees, panting heavily.

Sweat, like morning dew, seeped from her smooth forehead and full nose tip.

Sliding down along her clear jawline, it disappeared into the soaked sports vest, the whole person exuding an alluring watery glow, making Tang Song's blood boil.

He spoke directly: "Tomorrow is your birthday, I'll go to Shencheng to accompany you. We haven't seen each other for a long time, I miss you so much."

Liu Qingning slowly stood up straight, looked at him on the screen, and suddenly said: "No need, Tang Song."

"Hmm?" Tang Song was slightly stunned, surprised: "What do you mean? What's wrong with you?"

Liu Qingning didn't speak.

She just looked at him quietly like that.

Then, crystal-clear teardrops rolled down without warning from those stubborn eyes that always carried light.

She didn't cry out loud, just shed tears silently, like rain on a pear blossom.

The expression on Tang Song's face froze, his heart feeling as if it had been gripped hard by a hand.

He tried to soften his tone as much as possible: "Qingning, don't cry, tell me what happened?"

Liu Qingning bit her cherry lips, her voice clear and enunciated word by word: "Let's break up, Tang Song."

Looking into her eyes.

Tang Song instantly realized that the white moonlight was playing for real.

Taking a deep breath, Tang Song's gaze was low: "What exactly is wrong? What happened? Tell me!"

"Click—"

The video call was directly turned off by Liu Qingning.

Tang Song's eyebrows twitched violently, and he immediately called back, only to be rejected.

He dialed again, and was rejected again.

A strong sense of unease gripped his heart. Tang Song quickly found Liu Qingning's phone number and dialed it directly.

"Beep, beep, beep—"

The phone rang for a long, long time, and just when he thought it would be hung up again, it was finally answered.

Tang Song said directly: "I'm leaving for Shencheng to find you right now."

On the other end of the phone, a light laugh with a heavy nasal sound suddenly came.

Immediately after, Liu Qingning said in a joking tone: "Hehe, look how anxious you are. I just—had a dream last night that you were bullying me, so I wanted to tease you this morning."

Tang Song didn't laugh: "This joke isn't funny at all."

"Alright, alright, I know, Little Song, it won't happen again." Liu Qingning's voice became soft and glutinous again, as if she were acting like a spoiled child: "I have a surprise to notify you. I bought the plane ticket a few days ago, the flight this afternoon, departing from Shencheng directly to Quancheng. I want to spend this birthday with you in my hometown."

"You're going back to Quancheng?"

"Hmm, I suddenly missed home. And one more thing—" Her voice carried a bit of anticipation and nostalgia: "After my birthday, it will be the 50th anniversary of our No. 1 High School.

Teacher Li even called me a few days ago, telling me I must go back to participate; it's not easy to refuse.

Let's go back to our alma mater together by the way and relive the past memories, okay? You silly Little Song!"

Hearing this familiar appellation, exclusive to the high school era, Tang Song's heart throbbed slightly.

He was silent for a moment, and his voice softened: "Alright, we really haven't been back to our alma mater together for many years."

"Hmm hmm! Then it's settled. I won't chat anymore, I have to go pack my things, bye-bye."

"Bye-bye."

Hanging up the phone, Tang Song's heart still couldn't be completely put at ease.

He knew her too well.

The white moonlight was always mature and rational.

Even when joking during their most intimate moments, she would never use words like "break up" to test him.

Behind this, something he didn't know must have happened.

Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, he frowned and thought for a long while.

Tang Song sighed.

However, this matter could only be clarified in person after they met.

Subsequently, as if thinking of something, he opened QQ and flipped through the screen with his fingertips.

His gaze finally landed on a group chat set to "Do Not Disturb."

【Jingxian No. 1 High School Alumni Group】

This was what he added last time he went back to his hometown and triggered 【Light Feather of Memory】 at No. 1 High School. (Chapter 362)

He had hardly opened it since then.

Clicking in, there were so many messages that he couldn't see the end at a glance.

He flipped upward casually and soon saw the discussion about the school anniversary.

This year was the 50th anniversary of Jingxian No. 1 High School, and the scale was more than a grade higher than in previous years.

The invitation list included not only outstanding alumni and retired teachers from previous years but also leaders from educational authorities and many well-known social figures.

In some warm-up publicity, Tang Song saw many familiar names.

They were all "famous figures" who were radiant in the high school era.

Among them, naturally, was the 2016 science top scorer—Liu Qingning.

However, in the school's records, Liu Qingning's note was still "Co-founder of Century Intelligence."

After all, she hadn't been at Qingning Technology for long.

And Tang Song, who was not outstanding in the high school era, was naturally not on the "specially invited" list.

He stared at those familiar campus photos and one face after another that was gradually blurring but being awakened, an indescribable emotion surging in the bottom of his heart.

Toward No. 1 High School, he also held extremely complex feelings.

That was the place in his youth where he had tried his hardest, was most passionate, and also had the most regrets.

Fortunately, fortunately he finally possessed the ability to make up for his regrets.

He slowly closed his eyes, and the whole world quieted down.

Before his eyes, the girl wearing a blue and white school uniform, with a refreshing high ponytail and bangs, seemed to appear again.

She would tilt her head, tapping his forehead lightly with a pen, muttering "silly Little Song" in a spoiled tone.

Then, patiently, over and over again, she would explain complex physics problems to him.

Across so many years of blurred time, he seemed to still be able to smell the clean scent on her body, mixed with the faint fragrance of shampoo and chalk dust under the sun.

That was the taste of his entire youth. ===== CHAPTER 625 =====