Chapter 531: Her Name

At the entrance of the special care ward, it was quiet. Chen Shuangshuang stood there, on tiptoe, peering secretly through the small square glass window on the door at the two people at the end of the hallway.

On a cloudy afternoon, the light was filtered by thick clouds, becoming soft and gray-white.

Her sister, full of tears and at a loss, the handsome boy leaning down to kiss her, the fall, the embrace—at that moment, Chen Shuangshuang felt her breathing stop.

It was too beautiful.

Beautiful like the top-tier quality Japanese pure love anime she had secretly watched countless times on Bilibili.

Recalling the scenes from today, she still felt it was all too bizarre.

Her mother’s serious illness, her father’s retreat, the coldness of her brother and sister... when she learned all this, she cried secretly for a long time, and had also fantasized like a child who hadn't grown up.

Would there be a hero shouting "Do you believe in light?" who could descend from the sky and save them?

Yet she never expected that the one who brought the light would be the sister she had always rejected, and even looked down upon.

And beside her, that man who looked like a manga protagonist.

Chen Shuangshuang held her breath subconsciously, her heart beating so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

Although she was precocious and smart, she was ultimately just a fifteen-year-old girl.

She had the most instinctive curiosity and yearning for this kind of plot.

"Shuangshuang, what are you doing?"

Her mother Zhou Hui’s voice came from the direction of the hospital bed.

Chen Shuangshuang turned around quickly, blushing, and stammered: "No... nothing."

"Is your sister talking to Tang Song?" Zhou Hui’s tone carried a hint of uncertainty. "What... what are they like now?"

Chen Shuangshuang returned to her mother’s bedside, hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer and whispered: "Brother Tang Song is comforting sister,

and... and he kissed her, now they are hugging."

Zhou Hui froze, and a complex, indescribable emotion flashed in those eyes, which appeared cloudy due to pain.

There was surprise, relief, but more than that, deep worry.

Chen Shuangshuang didn't notice the change in her mother’s expression, still immersed in her own emotions, "Mom, who exactly is Brother Tang Song? How can he be so amazing?"

"I don't know either." Zhou Hui sighed gently, stroking her younger daughter’s hair with her rough hand, "Shuangshuang, you need to interact more with your sister in the future, and be closer to her. She actually likes you very much in her heart, and really wants to be good to you."

"Mm, I know." Chen Shuangshuang nodded, her voice much lower.

Seeing her two biological daughters getting closer because of this, Zhou Hui felt immense relief in her heart.

When she divorced back then, because she had no stable income and was a non-local resident, and Zhang Yan had been studying in Jingxian, the custody was ultimately not awarded to her.

Of course, she really couldn't afford to raise her at the time.

For a single mother without a diploma or a job, wanting to support a child in a strange city was truly too difficult.

This had always been the greatest pain in her heart, and also the debt she had to make up for no matter what.

That was why all these years, she had spared no effort to send Zhang Yan living expenses and tuition, even though the amount had long since far exceeded the legal obligation of support.

It was precisely this "favoritism" that triggered endless conflicts in their blended family.

Shuangshuang, from childhood to adulthood, had often been mocked and ridiculed by her brother and sister because of this, calling her an "outsider," saying her mother was "eating inside and out."

Over time, Shuangshuang developed such deep resistance toward the sister she had never met.

That was why she had never spoken harsh words because of Chen Shuangshuang’s attitude toward Zhang Yan.

Chen Shuangshuang hesitated for a while and pleaded in a low voice: "Mom, actually Dad... also wants to treat your illness, it’s just..."

"I know, I have never been angry with him because of this, and the divorce was always initiated by me." Zhou Hui interrupted her, her eyes becoming much sharper, "I know he has it hard, and I know this family has it hard. But Shuangshuang, he shouldn't... shouldn't have colluded with your brother and sister to set their sights on your sister Zhang Yan."

Having lived together for so many years, how could she not know what that family was thinking?

It was nothing more than seeing that Zhang Yan had a soft personality and a blood relationship, wanting to force Zhang Yan to "take over" as a matter of course.

This way, they could get by in terms of reason and face.

But for her as a mother, this was absolutely unacceptable.

The rift had already been created, and it was very difficult to mend.

This so-called "home" would ultimately only lead to divorce.

However, these were all things for later. Right now, she had to get her illness treated first.

Once she was better, she would find a stable job.

Only then would she have the confidence and ability to bring Shuangshuang by her side.

By then, the two daughters could often accompany and support each other.

Her daughter Zhang Yan, who had been lonely for too long, could also have one more relative who truly treated her sincerely.

Of course, there was also... the relationship between Zhang Yan and Tang Song.

After observing for these few short hours, she had already seen a great deal.

Her daughter was already deeply involved, but she was also self-deprecating and introverted, while that young man was so outstanding and exceptional; Zhang Yan and Tang Song’s relationship was destined to be hesitant and retreating.

Such a relationship was a bomb that might be detonated one day in the future.

Zhou Hui, who had suffered from emotional wounds and struggled through two failed marriages for half her life, knew the power of this bomb too well.

With Zhang Yan’s personality, she couldn't bear it at all.

Either don't start! Or... go all the way to the end!

She had to help her daughter!

In the hallway.

Tang Song held Zhang Yan, who had lost her strength due to the intense emotional fluctuation, and his breathing was filled with the faint scent of shampoo from her hair.

This moment had a unique sense of satisfaction, making his heart beat faster and faster.

She was very light, her body as thin as a feather; he could feel the slenderness of her bones through her clothes.

With her whole body pressed against him, her burning cheeks against his chest, Zhang Yan didn't move, her eyes wide in a daze, her whole person enveloped by the clean, warm scent from him.

Her mind was filled with the face that had just leaned in, and that kiss with a moist sensation.

A thought echoed madly and uncontrollably in her mind.

Tang Song kissed me... Tang Song kissed me... For her, Tang Song was the secret she had buried in her heart for more than ten years, and also the "white moonlight" that could bring her warmth and strength in countless lonely nights.

Originally, the dreamlike reunion over these two days had already kept all her emotions in a high state.

Now, this sudden kiss instantly broke all her defenses.

A scorching warm current burst forth from her heart, rushing to her limbs and bones.

Her cheeks and earlobes felt as if they had been ignited, burning and shockingly hot.

Her brain felt dizzy, and she felt she could faint at any moment.

This embrace lasted for a long time.

Long enough to smooth out the panic of her past ten years.

Finally, accompanied by footsteps and conversation from somewhere unknown.

She struggled gently, as if waking from a dream.

Tang Song loosened his grip on her, but his hands still held her arms loosely, fearing she would be unsteady on her feet again.

"How is it? Classmate Zhang Yan." He looked down at her, his voice filled with a smile, "Did you feel the strength I lent you?"

"I... you..." Zhang Yan’s panicked gaze fell on the ground, not daring to meet his eyes, and in the end, she only nodded imperceptibly.

Her brain hadn't recovered from the extreme impact just now.

Tang Song looked at her and switched to talking about the care of Orange.

Mentioning the cat, Zhang Yan’s emotions finally returned to calm.

After a while.

Tang Song asked in a conversational tone: "I heard from Lulu that the 'Shucheng Technology' company you work at now seems to have had some problems recently? Are the employees all preparing to jump ship?"

Hearing the word "work," Zhang Yan’s body tensed up subconsciously again.

She stammered in reply: "Mm... yes, that's right."

She paused, as if summoning great courage, and added another sentence, "I will pay you back for my mother’s medical expenses bit by bit."

She had kept this sentence in her heart for a long time; although saying it in front of him might sound like a childish joke, she still wanted to say it.

It was probably also for that insignificant "self-esteem" and "inferiority" in her heart.

Hearing her words, Tang Song raised his eyebrows and didn't answer immediately.

With his current emotional intelligence and experience, he naturally knew what Zhang Yan was thinking.

He had already given the other party too much help; if he continued to add to it without reservation, with Zhang Yan’s personality, she would definitely not be able to accept it, and it might even become an unbearable burden.

He had to use a more tactful way that she could accept.

Looking at his silent expression, Zhang Yan’s heart hung in the air, fearing he would misunderstand.

"I don't have any other meaning, I just... I just don't want... this is my mother’s illness after all, I..."

She didn't know what she should say, her face flushed red.

"I know what you mean." Tang Song patted her head gently, interrupting her incoherence, "Then work and pay it back slowly.

But with so much money, if you want to pay it off, you definitely need a stable, promising job."

Zhang Yan’s expression paused, her lips... "I will work hard."

"You should know that Lulu went for an interview today, right? It’s Xingyun International Group. She passed the second round." Tang Song continued: "Xingyun is undergoing strategic expansion, and the Yangcheng branch will deeply connect with the AI marketing direction, the prospects are very good, and they are also hiring in large numbers.

This is a very good opportunity."

"Mm, I heard from Lulu." Zhang Yan bit her lip, looked up at him, and said earnestly: "I... I will submit my resume next and give it a good try. But my mother needs someone here, so it might be a while."

Actually, she also knew that in all likelihood, she wouldn't even pass the resume screening.

She had transferred from the education and training industry and missed the golden period of new media development; facing such a big company, she had no competitiveness at all. However, Tang Song’s kiss just now really seemed to have planted a seed in her heart.

Perhaps in the future, she could really "transform."

"Do you want me to recommend you? I have a very good relationship with an executive at Xingyun International Group." Tang Song threw out an olive branch at the right time.

Zhang Yan was startled, then immediately shook her head: "No need, really no need!"

She understood that with the ability and power Tang Song had shown, his "recommendation" was by no means just a recommendation.

It might even give her a very high salary.

But she instinctively didn't want to owe him more.

Although she never dared to compare herself to Liu Qingning, if even finding a job required his help.

Then she was truly too pathetic.

The little bit of "self-esteem" remaining in her heart made her make the most direct refusal.

Looking at her appearance, Tang Song leaned closer to her, his scorching breath spraying on her forehead.

Their gazes met in the air. "Ah—" Zhang Yan let out a low cry, her almond eyes trembling violently.

Tang Song looked at her panicked eyes and suddenly said: "Zhang Yan, you are very special to me. Being able to help you makes me feel very happy and also gives me a sense of satisfaction. Think about my proposal, okay?"

This sentence, which carried the meaning of a "confession," instantly hit Zhang Yan’s softest defenses.

Her heartbeat accelerated rapidly again, and she almost forgot to breathe.

Special... I am special... Looking at her appearance of being about to faint, Tang Song had to pull back to a safe distance.

"Auntie has to do several more tests this afternoon, it will be very tiring, go into the ward and get some good rest. I'm going out to handle some work."

Zhang Yan gave a dazed "Mm" and followed behind Tang Song.

Walking toward the ward.

Pushing the door open, Zhou Hui and Chen Shuangshuang’s gazes were immediately cast over.

Tang Song smiled at them and said: "Auntie, Shuangshuang, I have some urgent matters at the company to handle, so I'll be leaving first. If there’s any situation here, call me anytime."

Zhou Hui quickly propped herself up to sit, "Tang Song, today... today thank you so much, Auntie doesn't even know what to say—"

"Auntie, don't be polite, health is the most important thing."

After a simple exchange of pleasantries, Tang Song glanced at Zhang Yan again and turned to leave.

Until his figure completely disappeared at the end of the hallway, Zhang Yan felt like a deflated ball, walking to her mother’s hospital bed and sitting down.

Her cheeks were still flushed with an abnormal red, her mind running wild, in a complete mess.

Zhou Hui looked at her daughter’s distracted appearance and sighed in her heart.

She asked gently: "A-Yan, how did you and Tang Song meet?"

Zhang Yan came back to her senses abruptly, her gaze falling on her fingers, and after a long time, she replied in a voice that was almost inaudible: "...Middle school classmates."

Hearing this incredible answer, an abnormally bright light burst forth from Zhou Hui’s cloudy eyes!

The biggest stone in her heart finally settled a little.

A gentle smile immediately bloomed on her face, and she began to chat with her daughter about the past in Jingxian in a reminiscent tone.

Between mother and daughter, although they had become much closer emotionally because of this sudden serious illness.

The rift formed by more than ten years of separation still existed.

Zhou Hui knew that many things couldn't be rushed; she needed to open her daughter’s defenses first.

After two o'clock in the afternoon.

Xingyun International Group, Yangcheng Branch.

"Dong, dong, dong—"

A knock on the door sounded.

"Please come in!" A slightly lazy yet dignified female voice came from inside the office.

Tang Song pushed the door and entered, seeing at a glance the figure sitting in the large office chair.

Outside the window was the bustling skyline of Zhujiang New Town.

Wen Ruan was wearing a dark gray silk shirt and trousers of the same color, wrapping her breathtaking, full curves.

She leaned elegantly behind the desk, her legs crossed, her posture composed.

She had both the confidence and elegance unique to a professional woman, and a hint of natural charm.

Very charming.

Seeing Tang Song, Wen Ruan kicked the desk lightly with her foot, slid backward, and looked at him teasingly, "Yo, isn't this our big boss who suddenly 'evaporated from the human world'? You're back?"

The original agenda was to discuss the due diligence details of "Smart Chain Future," but in the middle of the break, Tang Song just disappeared.

When asked where he went, he gave an ambiguous answer.

It was clearly suspicious.

Tang Song smiled, walked behind Wen Ruan, and placed his hands naturally on her tense shoulders, kneading them with moderate force.

"Work is hard, my dear Ruanruan."

"Mm-hm~"

Wen Ruan immediately let out a comfortable moan, her tense back relaxing instantly, and she leaned lazily against the back of the chair.

Closing her eyes, she enjoyed this sudden service to the fullest.

"Why so attentive suddenly?" She didn't even open her eyes, but the corners of her mouth hooked into a teasing arc, "Could it be you have something to ask of me?"

"Hehe, you're my girlfriend, isn't it only right for me to massage you?" Tang Song’s voice was low and gentle.

As he spoke, his hands moved along her slender neck, passing through the collar of her shirt unobtrusively, and slowly downward.

"Ah!" Wen Ruan let out a low cry, but didn't stop his movements, instead slightly arching her chest.

Tang Song’s hands were truly something else.

Distinct knuckles, slender and powerful, carrying a temperature that could make one addicted.

Even if she wasn't a hand-fetishist, she loved them to death.

After a while.

Tang Song withdrew his hands with satisfaction, scooped the big sister up from the chair, sat down himself, and then placed her steadily on his lap.

His fingertips wandered lightly over her smooth, delicate skin, and he kissed her cheek.

He said softly: "Ruanruan, let me tell you a story."

"Oh?" Wen Ruan’s peach-blossom eyes, shimmering with water, blinked, "What story?"

"This story starts from 2007—"

Wen Ruan froze; why did this sentence sound so familiar?

Oh, right!

A few months ago, when Liu Qingning added her as a friend for the first time, she said she wanted to tell her the story of her and Tang Song as childhood sweethearts.

The opening line was exactly the same!

Good fellow, worthy of being the "true" white moonlight; this telepathy and level of tacit understanding were simply...

"In Dongzhang Village of Jingxian, there was a little girl—"

However, soon, as Tang Song’s story slowly unfolded, her thoughts were completely drawn in.

The expressions on her charming face changed constantly.

Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, the lounge area outside the special care ward.

"So, now we are just waiting for the specific treatment plan to come out, and then start using that CAR-T drug?"

Lulu’s face still carried lingering shock.

Zhang Yan nodded gently, "Mm, Director He said we still need to do some genetic matching and a comprehensive assessment of her physical condition, it will take about a week."

"President Tang is too righteous! Simply a god-like friend!" Lulu sighed with emotion, "I heard that the special care ward in this hospital, let alone staying here, ordinary people can't even touch the door! Now with so many top experts having a consultation together, Auntie will definitely be fine this time!"

After her interview at Xingyun International Group, she had been anxious to rush over.

However, because Tang Song had already gone, she didn't come to disturb them for the time being, returning to the company first to handle work matters properly.

Only then did she run over without stopping.

After hearing Zhang Yan finish telling her about Tang Song’s series of swift and decisive operations.

The heart that had been hanging in her chest could finally be truly put down.

"Zhang Yan!" Lulu leaned closer, finally unable to hold back, the flames of gossip burning fiercely in her eyes, "Be honest, what is your relationship with Tang Song? You aren't really boyfriend and girlfriend, are you?"

"Ah!" Zhang Yan’s face turned red instantly, and she shook her head vigorously: "No, no, no, just... just friends."

"I know you're friends, but are you friends in the ambiguous stage? Otherwise, he couldn't possibly help you like this, he must have a crush on you!"

"No... it's not..." Zhang Yan stammered, her mind thinking of the kiss and embrace in the hallway earlier.

She was not a person good at lying, and for a moment, she didn't know how to explain it.

Lulu, seeing her appearance, understood about seventy or eighty percent.

After teasing her with a laugh, she excitedly lowered her voice, "I ran into Tang Song when I went for the interview at Xingyun International Group! You have no idea how coincidental it was! I had just finished the second round and walked out of the conference room when I ran into him! He was followed by all the big leaders of our group’s headquarters! That guy, he just said one light sentence, and my interview was stable on the spot!"

She described that dramatic scene at Xingyun headquarters with gestures, her words filled with worship and gratitude for Tang Song.

Of course, she also hoped that she could use this way to make her good friend’s mood a little happier.

Her mother had cancer; for someone with Zhang Yan’s introverted and sensitive personality, the pressure was imaginable.

Listening to Lulu’s words, Zhang Yan was stunned, "Tang Song is a leader at Xingyun International Group headquarters?"

"No." Lulu shook her head and added mysteriously: "After I received the offer, I specifically found the HR lady who contacted me

and asked around on the side.

She said President Tang is not an executive at Xingyun, but he has a very, very deep cooperative relationship with our group!

And, our group’s director, Director Wen, is Tang Song’s good friend!"

As she spoke, Lulu’s eyes began to shine: "You didn't see that Director Wen; my god, that figure, that aura, that beauty,

simply...! At a glance, she is that kind of true female elite that only exists in TV dramas! She is a true big shot!"

Zhang Yan listened silently, her lips pressed tighter.

Her mind began to run wild uncontrollably.

Was the friend at Xingyun International Group that Tang Song mentioned earlier this Director Wen?

Also, for someone as outstanding as him, his friends must also be very powerful people, right?

Lulu, while talking, excitedly took out her phone.

She brought the screen to her face, "Look, look, this is my offer! I have to say, big companies are awesome! The base salary is directly 10,000, and the five insurances and one fund are fully paid! Fully paid! And there are all kinds of benefits and performance bonuses! It won't be long before

I can take out a mortgage to buy a house in my hometown, using the provident fund loan, and the interest is low!"

"Congratulations, Lulu." Zhang Yan looked at the bright, genuine smile on her friend’s face and felt happy for her in her heart.

Lulu excitedly hugged Zhang Yan’s arm, "Zhang Yan, you should hurry up and come to Xingyun International too! With this connection to Tang Song, it’s ten thousand times better than that crappy Shucheng Technology! If you come, we can be colleagues!"

Listening to her words, Zhang Yan bit her lip, "I... I'll think about it—"

Then, she seemed to suddenly remember something and asked in a low voice: "Can you find information about that Director Wen online?"

"Of course you can!" Lulu immediately got into the spirit, "I specifically checked, she is truly a big leader whose name is hung on the official website, a member of the board of directors of Xingyun International Group!"

Lulu, while talking, skillfully searched on her phone.

Soon, she opened a news report.

"Here, look, it’s this one, a financial interview from a while ago."

Zhang Yan took the phone.

On the screen, a beautiful, high-quality commercial portrait entered her eyes.

The woman in the photo was confident, elegant, and full of charm.

Her eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the screen, carrying an innate, powerful aura.

An indescribable sense of inferiority surged into Zhang Yan’s heart like a tide again.

So, the people around him were all such radiant existences.

This Director Wen was truly so outstanding.

She scrolled through the screen silently, looking through that interview about corporate strategy and market layout unconsciously.

Then, at the end of the article, a related link marked in blue font caught her attention.

[Xingyun International Group announces deep strategic cooperation with Qingning Technology to jointly participate in the cutting-edge AR project "Xuanji Light Realm"]

Qingning Technology... seeing the two words "Qingning," Zhang Yan’s heart skipped a beat.

She clicked into it instinctively.

The page immediately jumped to an in-depth report on the project "Xuanji Light Realm."

Lulu said excitedly from the side: "Wow, this is news that just came out two days ago, so amazing! Our company is actually cooperating with Qingning Technology! That is one of the most awesome AI companies! Awesome!"

Although she had just received the offer, she already completely considered herself a member of Xingyun International.

"Indeed very amazing." Zhang Yan sighed along, continuing to read the news.

Suddenly!

A name that was familiar to the extreme, already deeply ingrained in her bones, crashed into her pupils without warning.

[- Person in charge of the "Qingmi AI" business under Qingning Technology, and also the person in charge of software application layer docking for this project - Liu Qingning.]

Zhang Yan only felt that the whole world instantly lost its sound, her breathing becoming rapid and numb.

The chattering sound of Lulu’s admiration in her ears turned into a distant buzzing.

The soft and warm light in the lounge area of the special care ward seemed to have its temperature extracted.

Liu Qingning.