Chapter 645

Friday, November 24, 2023, sunny, -4~3°C.

Zhuxi Residential Quarter.

Early morning, and outside the window, it is still a stretch of silent black.

Tang Song slowly opens his eyes amidst a sense of warmth and fragrance.

He turns his head to look at Gao Mengting, who is fast asleep beside him, a smile appearing on his face.

Accompanied by the text message notification of a bank deposit, Tang Song gets out of bed lightly and carefully.

He puts on thick clothes and goes downstairs.

He pushes open the unit door.

A cold wind mixed with the scent of frost and snow instantly pours in.

Tang Song tightens the collar of his coat, exhales a puff of white mist, and steps into this pre-dawn moment where all things are silent.

A thin layer of white frost has condensed on the lawn and holly trees by the roadside.

The perceived temperature in the early morning is extremely low; he hasn't left any sportswear here, so he simply gives up on his morning run and switches to a slow walk instead.

Once the time is about right, Tang Song takes out his phone, puts on his Bluetooth earphones, and dials Liu Qingning's voice call.

The call is answered almost instantly, and soon the somewhat lazy voice of his "white moonlight" comes through the earpiece: "Morning, Xiao Song."

"Good morning, wifey."

"Ah!" Liu Qingning lets out a low cry, feeling somewhat flustered and shy from his sudden form of address, "You—why are you suddenly calling me that?"

"Do you not like it?"

The two of them chat back and forth just like that.

About the weather in Yancheng and Shencheng, and about the upcoming industrial layout of the Xuanji Light Realm.

Tang Song walks slowly through the deserted residential area, listening to the light, rhythmic "da-da-da" footsteps coming from the treadmill on the other end.

They chat for over half an hour.

Once Liu Qingning finishes her morning workout, the two of them finally hang up the phone.

Tang Song has unknowingly walked out of the residential gate and turned the street corner.

A familiar shop, steaming with heat, comes into his view.

Looking at the familiar meat burger, Tang Song can't help but smile.

He takes out his phone, snaps a photo, and shares it with Cheng Qiuqiu.

He leaves a message: "(·w·) Are you up yet? Do you want me to bring you your favorite meat burger with double the chili?"

As a true Sichuan girl, Qiuqiu's ability to handle spice is super strong.

In the past, when they ate hot pot together, her dipping sauce bowl was almost entirely bright red chili oil.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"

【Qiuqiu: "(·w·) No need! We bought a lot of ingredients yesterday, and today I'm going to make breakfast and lunch with Lingling. The kitchenware in the new place is very complete, and we haven't used it yet."】

Tang Song: "Alright then, I'll come over in person another day to taste your cooking."

【Qiuqiu: Expectant. jpg (a cat meme showing anticipation)】

Looking at the message Qiuqiu sent, Tang Song smiles.

Unknowingly, the cold and silent Qiuqiu has become much more cheerful, and she talks more too.

Especially after moving out of Zhuxi Residential Quarter and living with the junior student, the change is even more obvious.

Recently, she even takes the initiative to share some interesting things with him at night.

It is worth mentioning that Qiuqiu hasn't had a nightmare in a long time.

He is going to the company today, so he can just happen to see how her 【Dream Flower Seed】 is growing.

Tang Song still cares a lot about this "dark-hearted" girl who loves planting flowers.

And for the 【Dream Flower Seed】 to grow well, besides absorbing negative emotions, his special treatment and kindness will also make the flower seed grow more robustly.

After thinking for a moment, he holds down the voice button and says gently: "Take a photo and send it to me, will you? I haven't seen you for a long time, I miss you."

After the message is sent, Qiuqiu doesn't reply instantly, which is rare.

After waiting for a while and still receiving no reply, Tang Song shakes his head and chuckles.

He walks into the breakfast shop, packs two portions of breakfast, and turns to walk toward the residential gate.

The eastern skyline is glowing with a magnificent morning light.

"Ding-dong—" A WeChat notification sound rings out.

【Qiuqiu: Mirror selfie. jpg】

In the photo, Qiuqiu is wearing a tight purple yoga top on her upper body and a pair of pure black high-waisted yoga pants on her lower body. Her orange-brown long hair is neatly tied into a playful bun, revealing her smooth forehead and graceful swan-like neck.

She is standing sideways to the mirror, her body curves appearing firm, full, tall, and sexy under the outline of the lights.

And it is very obvious that she has dressed up carefully; she is even wearing lipstick.

Tang Song exhales a puff of white mist, his heart feeling slightly hot.

There's no helping it; his business partner is a standard little novice who simply cannot satisfy him.

Seeing such a vibrant photo of Qiuqiu early in the morning, it's inevitable to feel a bit restless.

After all, Qiuqiu is known as "Little Su Yu"; regardless of her looks or figure, she is top-tier.

Immediately, his gaze freezes, landing on the familiar room environment in the photo background, and he blinks hard.

This—this isn't Shen Yu Yan's room?

The bedside ornaments, the room layout, the aromatherapy machine in the corner—the more he looks, the more familiar it seems.

Tang Song's eyebrows twitch, and he immediately types a reply: "Qiuqiu, you look really beautiful. By the way, I haven't asked, which residential quarter did you and Lingling move to?"

【Qiuqiu: "Building 4, Unit 1, Room 1204, Beicheng Garden, Yuhua District."】

【Qiuqiu: Location. map】

Damn! It really is!

He had just asked Shen Yu Yan and Xu Qing to move from there to the Lanfeng International Apartment, and yet, in the blink of an eye, Lingling and Qiuqiu have moved in!

This is too much of a coincidence.

And he still has the access card for Beicheng Garden, which saves him the trouble.

Come to think of it, Shen Yu Yan and Xu Qing, Cheng Qiuqiu and Yao Lingling, are all good friends and besties.

This combination seems quite nice.

It seems he thought of something.

Tang Song can't help but feel a strange sensation in his heart.

He returns upstairs.

Tang Song places the still-steaming breakfast on the dining table and pushes open the door to the master bedroom.

He sees Gao Mengting sitting in front of the vanity, applying makeup seriously.

She has already finished washing up, wearing a simple white T-shirt, her long black hair tied casually into a low ponytail with a simple hair tie.

This reveals her smooth, full forehead and graceful swan-like neck.

Without much adornment, she naturally carries a stunning, gentle, and clear beauty.

"You're back." Gao Mengting turns her head to look at him and greets him.

It is very obvious that his business partner is in an excellent mood.

The reason, naturally, is the sudden big surprise from yesterday—Su Yu wore their windbreaker and made it onto the trending list.

"Yeah."

Tang Song responds, walks forward, hugs her gently from behind, and plants a kiss on her neck.

Gao Mengting's sensitive body stiffens suddenly.

Blushing, she says: "What are you doing—"

"Nothing much." Tang Song smiles and slides his cold hands into the loose hem of her T-shirt.

"Tang Song! Your—your hands are so cold! Take them away!"

She says, both shy and annoyed, trying to pry away the large hand that is causing mischief on her body.

However, Tang Song's hand remains motionless, slowly moving upward along her warm, delicate abdomen.

"Ah!"

The cold stimulation meets the warm skin, and the soft curves meet the firm finger bones.

Gao Mengting's body shudders violently, and she goes limp in his arms.

The room is filled with the sounds of their playful banter and his partner's occasional coquettish protests.

Sunlight shines through the gaps in the curtains, enveloping the two of them.

An atmosphere of ambiguity and warmth permeates the air.

10:30 AM.

Songmei Apparel, conference room.

"... So, my suggestion is, for the Double Twelve pre-promotion, we don't need to spread ourselves thin like we did for the Double Eleven; instead, we should focus more—further consolidating the brand tonality of 【He Yi】—"

Tang Song sits at the head of the table, quietly listening to his colleagues from the brand department reporting their plans.

Qiuqiu, sitting diagonally across from him, is seriously recording the key points of the meeting.

Every now and then, she looks up, her gaze briefly meeting Tang Song's in the air, before quickly looking down again.

The 【Dream Flower Seed】 above her head looks even more robust than before, surrounded by a layer of soft halo.

The meeting ends.

Everyone stands up one after another, chatting and laughing as they walk out.

Cheng Qiuqiu, however, remains seated, not moving.

After everyone has left, Tang Song comes to her side and asks with a smile: "What's wrong, Qiuqiu?"

"Tang Zong, I—I'd like to ask for 3 days off next week."

"Of course you can." Tang Song leans against the edge of the conference table, looking relaxed. "Can you tell me what it's for?"

Cheng Qiuqiu bites her lip, stands up, and says in a low voice: "I need to go back to Rongcheng—to my home."

"Oh? Going home next week?" Tang Song raises his eyebrows, his heart stirring slightly.

His character interaction task with Ouyang Xianyue is to go to Rongcheng at the end of the month.

Of course, because the time isn't very certain, he needs to wait for the system prompt.

However, the timing happens to overlap just right, which is quite a coincidence.

Seeing Tang Song silent, Qiuqiu shows a look of anxiety and caution: "I will bring my computer; if there is work, I can work online at any time."

Sensing her thoughts, Tang Song chuckles, walks closer, and his slender hand lands on her slender waist without question.

Feeling the familiar scent coming from him, Qiuqiu subconsciously wants to shrink back like a startled little deer.

The emerald green flower seedling above her head trembles violently.

Tang Song says: "You should also take a good rest for a while; I'll give you some paid annual leave. You decide the time yourself; you can stay in Rongcheng for a few more days."

He learned about Qiuqiu's past and family situation through the dream.

Naturally, he knows what going home means to her.

It just so happens he is going too, so he can give this poor girl a big surprise when the time comes.

At that time, they can also walk around Rongcheng together, cultivate their relationship, and soothe her emotions.

After all, all her inner knots stem from that gray childhood.

Perhaps it might even allow that 【Dream Flower Seed】 to grow rapidly and bloom a third flower.

"No need for paid leave, I'll just take regular leave." Cheng Qiuqiu shakes her head stubbornly.

Tang Song smiles, suddenly leans forward, and kisses her on her burning cheek.

"Tang Zong—"

Qiuqiu nervously glances at the transparent glass door of the conference room, her body tensing up instantly.

"It's settled then; I'll tell HR later."

Tang Song pats her thin back and turns to walk out.

Watching his departing back.

Cheng Qiuqiu stands there blankly, subconsciously reaching out to touch the trace on her cheek where he kissed her, her gaze dazed.

Ever since she learned that Tang Song not only has the senior student as a girlfriend, but even a second and a third, the guilt in her heart has dissipated a lot.

Following that is the emotion that has been suppressed for a long time.

Recently, ever since moving out of Zhuxi Residential Quarter, she always dreams of Tang Song, and the dreams are filled with all kinds of shy, intimate contact.

And after waking up, her body is always sticky.

She has never felt this way before.

She feels that her physiological problems are getting better little by little.

CEO's office.

Tang Song has just sat down and taken a sip of water.

"Ding-dong—" A WeChat notification sound rings out.

He picks up his phone to look; it's an email.

The sender is Zhao Fei.

Subject: 【Synchronization on the progress of Ms. Zhou Hui's CAR-T cell therapy】.

Seeing the email information, Tang Song's heart jumps, and he clicks it open quickly.

His gaze scans the content quickly, and he lets out a sigh of relief, a sincere smile appearing on his face.

In over half a month, Zhang Yan's mother has completed the pre-treatment evaluation and preparation stage.

Just today, the "CAR-T cell preparation" has officially begun.

Currently, they have established direct contact with the laboratory of 【Guyu Biology】 and opened a "green channel" with the highest priority.

Moreover, the entire process from blood collection to viral vector transfection and then to cell expansion and culture is supervised and completed by their chief scientist team personally.

It is expected that it can be air-freighted to the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center next week.

This is nearly ten days shorter than the conventional process.

Below is also an evaluation report from the laboratory on Zhou Hui's treatment.

Everything is going very smoothly.

As long as the CAR-T cells are successfully reinfused into the body, the next stage will be monitoring and recovery.

Zhang Yan can finally be freed from that enormous pressure.

For Tang Song, it is even more significant.

Because in his dream memory, he saw the future of another Zhang Yan.

And at this moment, he has already changed the fate of this junior high school deskmate.

It also means that she will start a brand-new life.

He takes a deep breath to calm the palpitations in his heart.

Tang Song clicks on Zhang Yan's WeChat chat interface, ponders for a moment, and begins to type a message.

Yangcheng, Nebula International Group branch.

In the bright open-plan office area.

Zhang Yan sits at her new workstation, sitting straight, focusing seriously on revising a brand promotional copy.

Her notebook is densely filled with various thoughts and suggestions for improvement.

In the more than half a month since joining Nebula, she has actually spent most of her energy at the hospital.

The company leaders almost didn't assign her any substantive work, only letting her review some basic drafts online occasionally.

Now, her mother's treatment has finally gotten on the right track, and there is a professional caregiver taking care of her around the clock.

Only today can she be considered to have truly entered the work process.

Her current position is Senior Content Cooperation Manager of the 【Content Ecosystem Cooperation Department】, with a rank of P6 and a monthly salary as high as 25K. Including the year-end bonus and performance, her annual salary is enough to exceed 400,000.

She is like a sponge now, eager to learn new knowledge.

Just like she promised Tang Song before,

She only knows how to write drafts now and doesn't understand many things, falling behind others, but she will learn seriously.

She also always remembers the energy and courage Tang Song gave her.

The "Frieza" of life has been defeated, everything is getting better and better, and she will also work hard to earn more money.

Although it sounds a bit "funny," she still wants to save money to pay back the 1 million+ in medical expenses she owes Tang Song, even if it's just paying back a portion.

Otherwise, she always feels she owes him a lot, a lot.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"

On the computer screen, a WeChat message pops up.

Zhang Yan pauses subconsciously, her fingertips stopping on the keyboard.

【Tang Song: "I've seen Auntie's report, everything is very good. After the reinfusion next week, you can rest assured for her recovery. Take good care of yourself in Yangcheng. I also believe that our Zhang Yan will transform into a real Super Saiyan sooner or later. Keep it up!"】

Zhang Yan stares at the screen, her cheeks burning while her eyes also feel slightly sore and hot.

A long time later.

She wipes the corners of her eyes and types a reply gently: "I will work hard, I won't let you down."

【Tang Song: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I hope you can live happily. You can tell me anything."】

Zhang Yan bites her lip, and tears still slowly overflow.

They fall onto the keyboard, blurring into a small water stain.

Growing up, because of her family situation, she is a person who is very lacking in love.

She always feels that she is like a rootless duckweed, drifting lonely in the vast world, without any harbor to rely on.

Tang Song's existence was once a spiritual anchor in those long and gray years, allowing her to see a glimmer of light in countless late nights.

Now, this anchor is no longer far away; he is truly by her side.

It makes her full of a sense of security and belonging.

It is precisely because of these feelings that she could muster the courage to confess to Tang Song and even delusionally think of "competing" with Liu Qingning.

Of course, she never felt she could really grab anything.

She only hopes that this harbor she finally found won't abandon her.

She lowers her head to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

When she looks up again, there is more ease and firmness between Zhang Yan's eyebrows.

She looks at the date on the computer; today happens to be Friday.

She bites her lip, her fingertips tapping the keyboard gently.

She turns those surging emotions into passages of familiar text that belong only to the two of them:

【It cooled down in Yangcheng today, the wind is very strong, blowing the banyan leaves outside the window to rustle, very much like the autumn in our Jingxian.

It's been over half a month since I joined the new company, and everything is very good. My colleagues are very friendly, and although the work is challenging, I am learning very hard every day.

These past few days, I always think of the weekend when we read comics together and painted the walls together.

They are like slow-motion shots in a movie, replaying over and over in my mind.

The night view of Yangcheng is beautiful, but it's far from the streets and alleys we walked through together that night.

The ends of the earth have their limits, only lovesickness has no end.

Although it hasn't been a month since we parted, Tang Song, I seem to have started missing you again.】

After hesitating for a moment, she clicks send.

Zhang Yan's cheeks are burning like fire; she lowers her head and clenches her fists hard.

This is the first time she has directly said "miss you."

And it is a long message on WeChat that "he can see."

The emotions in her heart are beyond words.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"

【Tang Song: "After Auntie's reinfusion, do you want to come to Yancheng? I'll take you to see the school."】

Zhang Yan's eyes light up instantly, and her heart jumps.

Yancheng...

She spent four years of her college time there—those four years were also the four years she hid in a place he couldn't see, silently peeking at him.

She takes a deep breath.

She replies quickly: "Okay, I haven't been back for over two years."

After chatting with Tang Song for a while longer, Zhang Yan puts down her phone with satisfaction and throws herself back into work.

Time passes bit by bit.

In the evening, the skyline outside the window is dyed a magnificent orange-red by the sunset.

A familiar voice sounds beside her workstation: "Manager Zhang, Chairman Wen has arrived at the company. She just finished a meeting and wants you to go to the reception room now; she wants to see you."

Zhang Yan looks up and sees the gentle assistant, Wang Dandan, looking at her with a smile.

Chairman Wen is here?

"Okay." Zhang Yan responds quickly, saves the document, stands up, and walks out.

She tidies her hair, and with a feeling of anxiety, pushes open the heavy glass door of the reception room.

Immediately, she sees the figure sitting there alone.

She is wearing a finely tailored black suit, and her white silk shirt is stretched by her full, proud chest into an exaggerated arc.

Her thick wavy hair is scattered casually on her shoulders, and there is a faint trace of fatigue on her face, but it cannot hide the unique mature and charming style she carries.

Zhang Yan bows quickly and says respectfully: "Chairman Wen."

"You're here, Zhang Yan." Wen Ruan stands up, waves at her, and smiles kindly: "Come over and sit."

"Thank you, Chairman Wen."

Zhang Yan carefully comes to her side.

Wen Ruan grabs her arm: "Why have we become so distant after not seeing each other for a week?"

"No—no." Zhang Yan blushes.

It's mainly because she feels the gap between herself and Wen Ruan is too large, and she is a big leader of the company.

She worries that being too familiar will make the other party feel disgusted.

"Alright, just call me Sister Wen Ruan or Sister in private." Wen Ruan's voice is magnetic and gentle: "How is it? Are you used to the work?"

"..."

"It's quite good, my colleagues are all very nice."

The two sit down on the sofa.

Wen Ruan asks about her recent situation and chats about some lighthearted gossip.

Once the sky outside the window turns completely dark, she seems to suddenly remember something.

She says playfully: "Zhang Yan, let me ask you something."

"Please go ahead." Zhang Yan sits up straight, her hands placed properly on her knees, like a primary school student listening to a teacher's lecture, meticulous.

Wen Ruan looks at her cute appearance and can't help but cover her mouth and chuckle: "Do you want to earn more money?"

"Ah?" Zhang Yan opens her mouth, not understanding what she means for a moment.

"Don't be nervous," Wen Ruan continues: "It's like this. Nebula International Group is about to start a new round of domestic and international mergers and strategic cooperation, and our 【Content Ecosystem Cooperation Department】 will become increasingly important.

It just so happens that we are about to start deep cooperation with a technology enterprise, and I hope you will participate in it personally.

Of course, because this project may require frequent business trips, the company will provide very generous project subsidies and performance bonuses."

Hearing this, Zhang Yan says nervously: "I—I'm afraid my ability isn't enough, and I won't be able to handle it well—"

"I'm not asking you to take on the heavy responsibility alone right now." Wen Ruan's tone is full of soothing power: "I will give you enough time to learn and adapt. After you are completely integrated, we will select elite soldiers from our department to form a project team led by you. How about it? Do you dare to take on this challenge?"

Zhang Yan's heart jumps to her throat instantly, and she subconsciously wants to retreat.

After all, she has always been just a content editor hiding behind a computer screen.

She has never truly led such a major project that requires frequent external communication.

But thinking of Tang Song, thinking of her promise to him, and thinking of that heavy "debt" she longs to repay.

Zhang Yan's almond eyes, which always carry a bit of timidity, finally become firm.

She takes a deep breath, meets Wen Ruan's gaze, and nods hard: "Thank you for your trust, Chairman Wen, I will work hard! If—if I really can't do it well, you can remove me at any time. I want to try!"

"Snap—"

Wen Ruan snaps her fingers crisply, a brilliant smile blooming on her face, as if she finally got the answer she wanted.

She can't help but stretch out her arms and give Zhang Yan a soft and intimate hug, her hand affectionately rubbing her smooth collarbone-length hair.

"Keep it up, I, like Tang Song, believe in you very much."

Zhang Yan's face turns red instantly, and her body is a bit stiff.

She is not yet used to this kind of sudden, warm, and sincere closeness.

The two chat for a few more sentences.

Wen Ruan looks at her watch and pulls her to stand up: "It's almost time to get off work. Come to think of it, Sister hasn't been to where you live yet? Do you mind if I go over and have a meal? Also, I want to see your Orange; I really like cats."

"Ah—I" Zhang Yan bites her lip, hesitating.

"What? Is it inconvenient?"

"No—no! It's just—my home is a bit messy."

"It doesn't matter." Wen Ruan raises her eyebrows at her: "Let me tell you a secret, when I live alone, my home is also super messy, with underwear and panties thrown everywhere, haha."

Zhang Yan then nods with a red face: "Then—okay."

She mainly feels that her rental house is too dilapidated, feeling out of place with a figure like Wen Ruan, and feels a bit inferior.

But Wen Ruan's performance indeed makes her feel at ease, and she also cares about her feelings very much.

She tidies up her things simply.

Zhang Yan puts on her backpack and follows Wen Ruan out of the office.

While waiting for the elevator, she still can't help but ask in a low voice: "Sister Wen Ruan, what is the name of that technology company you mentioned? I'll go back and learn about it in advance."

Wen Ruan turns to look at her and says with a smile: "I don't know if you've heard of it, 【Xuanji Light Realm】, the headquarters is in Shencheng."

After Zhang Yan hears this name, she freezes first, and then her pupils shrink suddenly.

A name appears in her mind.

【Liu Qingning】

She seems to have a connection with this company, and she has also appeared in many news reports.

Wen Ruan doesn't notice her distraction, just introduces the background and importance of this enterprise in a low voice.

She secretly sighs in relief in her heart.

Recently, her pressure has been truly too great.

Caught between the game of those two immortals, Jin Meixiao and Ouyang Xianyue, she is walking on thin ice every day.

And what can be foreseen is that in the future, with the official entry of Liu Qingning, this "white moonlight," this "shura field" will only become more and more troublesome.

In order to avoid being truly squeezed into a meat patty, Wen Ruan finally decides to introduce foreign aid.

And Tang Song, this introverted and simple "reverse white moonlight," is undoubtedly the best choice.

There's no helping it, who told her to have such a hard life.

The pit she dug herself, she has to find a way to get someone to fill it together.