5:00 PM.
Light and Shadow dia (Beijing Branch).
“Wenzhe, the full budget report has been printed. Here you go.”
“Thanks, Sister Li.”
“I’ve reviewed the PPT on my end and confird that everything’s perfect.”
...
After organizing and packaging the docunts, Wen Ruan sat quietly at her workstation. Her deanor showed no sign of any abnormality.
This allowed Zhang Xintong, sitting beside her, to breathe a sigh of relief.
Since noon, Wen Ruan had seed unusually quiet. However, once imrsed in work, she returned to her usual self—still the ticulous and responsible planning team leader.
She opened her phone and left a voice ssage for Tang Song on WeChat:
"Everything is fine now. She was probably just feeling a bit off earlier due to work pressure. It’s nothing serious anymore."
Buzz buzz buzz—
[Tang Song: "WeChat Transfer 10,000.00 CNY, please accept."]
[Tang Song: "Thank you, Xintong. I have a banquet to attend later, so help her order sothing nice to eat, or take her out to a fancy dinner nearby. Cheer her up and chat with her tonight."]
“What the h*ck!” A suppressed exclamation burst out.
“What’s wrong, Xintong?”
Colleagues around her turned to look, puzzled.
Zhang Xintong quickly waved her hand. “Nothing, nothing. I thought a bug landed on my leg just now. Haha.”
Afterward, her hands trembled with excitent as she typed her reply:
“No way, this is way too much! A al at most costs a few hundred yuan!”
[Tang Song: "Take it. Consider the extra as a token of appreciation for your effort. I might need your help again in the future. By the way, she loves spicy food, so maybe Hunan or Sichuan cuisine."]
Staring at Tang Song’s sincere reply and the shining 10,000 yuan in her account, Zhang Xintong nearly fell to her knees.
In that mont, she realized—Sister Ziqi, you’ve got yourself the ultimate deal here!
What kind of heavenly boyfriend is this?
LV bags, Rolex watches, Su Yu concert tickets...
And now, a 10,000 yuan red envelope just to ensure his girlfriend is well cared for by her colleagues.
Handso, rich, romantic, emotionally intelligent, generous, and refined.
On top of that, according to Wen Ruan, he was a CTO at a major company while also running his own live-stream e-comrce startup.
Oh. My. God. What woman could resist a guy like this?
Glancing at the serene and composed Wen Ruan, Zhang Xintong couldn't stop herself from tapping accept on the transfer.
Yes, I can’t resist either!
Staring at the long string of digits in her account balance, Zhang Xintong’s heart raced with excitent. She imdiately opened a review app and found a top-rated Sichuan restaurant on the “must-eat” list.
Scooting closer to Wen Ruan, she whispered, “Dearest Sister Wen Ruan, we’re about to finish work. Let treat you to sothing delicious! Let’s take a cab straight there!”
Wen Ruan turned her head to look at her, then gently shook her head. “Next ti. I’m eting a college friend tonight. We’ll have dinner at her place, and I’ll be trying on bridesmaid dresses.”
"Uh..." Zhang Xintong, who had just pocketed a hefty red envelope, felt a little guilty. After so thought, she continued, “Then how about we grab a late-night snack when you’re back? Anyway, I’ve got too much money to spend lately, so I insist on treating you to a feast.”
“Pfft—” Wen Ruan was amused by her words. “Alright, you win.”
Looking at her assistant, Wen Ruan suddenly pointed at Xintong’s laptop.
Zhang Xintong blinked, confused.
Tap, tap, tap. The sound of keyboard typing filled the air.
Shortly after, a new WeChat ssage popped up on Zhang Xintong’s laptop:
[Wen Ruan: “Xintong, after we return from Beijing this ti, I’ll be switching jobs. You’ve been with for nearly a year, and we’ve worked really well together. If you’re willing, you can join at my new company. It’s the Yan City branch of Xingyun International Group.”]
Zhang Xintong’s heart skipped a beat as she read the ssage.
She was well aware of Xingyun International Group—Wen Ruan’s previous workplace. It was an industry leader, a true titan in the field.
Compared to it, Light and Shadow dia could only be described as a company still in its growing phase.
Getting into Xingyun International would be a rare opportunity for soone like her, fresh out of college. It would be a valuable stepping stone in her career, even if she wanted to switch jobs in the future.
[Wen Ruan: “Take your ti to think it over. There’s no rush. This won’t happen until August.”]
Swallowing hard, Zhang Xintong typed furiously:
“Sister, of course, I’m in! Please take with you if you need !”
Are you kidding? This was more than just a great career opportunity.
The real bonus was Wen Ruan’s boyfriend—Tang Song!
The kind of person who casually transfers 10,000 yuan to a lowly assistant.
If she stayed by Wen Ruan’s side, even if it happened occasionally, just one of those instances could make her rich!
As 6:00 PM approached, Wen Ruan submitted her daily work log and began packing up to leave.
Thud, thud, thud. Heavy footsteps approached her desk.
“Don’t leave yet, Wen Ruan. The budget control chanism and evaluation standards you sent have issues. Make so revisions,” Liu Chuanzheng said, standing by her desk with a calm expression.
Wen Ruan frowned slightly and replied, “Director Liu, this docunt was prepared according to our company’s standard template. It’s always been done this way.”
“But this ti, our client is igou Tech. Shouldn’t we be more flexible?”
Taking a deep breath, Wen Ruan tightened her grip on her bag strap, her gaze sharp as she looked at Liu Chuanzheng.
Earlier this afternoon, he had sent her several hypocritical ssages.
When she didn’t respond, he resorted to petty tactics like this.
Currently, their negotiations with igou Tech were still ongoing, and the budget-related content was not critical at this stage.
Looking at his repulsive face, Wen Ruan felt her barely restrained emotions boiling over.
Her expression turned icy. “This docunt was prepared according to your specific instructions, Director Liu. You even approved it in an email the day before yesterday. If you think it’s inappropriate now, feel free to revise it yourself!”
Hearing Wen Ruan’s retort, Li iling, seated at the desk opposite, bead with delight.
Here it cos! Finally!
She had worked so hard to fan the flas, and it was all for this mont!
Hopefully, Director Liu would fly into a rage and directly “optimize” Wen Ruan out of the company.
If that happened, she wouldn’t have to deal with Wen Ruan anymore and could work comfortably.
The other colleagues, anwhile, were startled by Wen Ruan’s sudden outburst. Their faces reflected their unease as they watched the confrontation between the two.
Liu Chuanzheng’s face darkened completely. Raising his voice, he bellowed:
“What kind of attitude is this? I worked so hard to bring in such a big client for the company. If sothing goes wrong, can you take responsibility?”
“Enough! Say no more. I’m extrely disappointed in your performance and attitude. You’re off the igou case. I don’t want you interfering with our work anymore! If you want to leave, go ahead and leave now! I’ll be reporting this incident to the higher-ups at headquarters!”
With that, Liu Chuanzheng crossed his arms, his expression heavy as he stared her down.
He never expected Wen Ruan to challenge him in front of so many colleagues, blatantly disregarding his authority as her manager.
This would undoubtedly beco the talk of the office. If he didn’t act decisively, it would severely damage his reputation.
The room fell silent, the atmosphere tense enough to hear a pin drop.
Wen Ruan’s brow twitched, and a cold smirk spread across her face. “Screw you! Do you think you deserve to be a leader? I’ve been generating profits for this company, and now you’re acting like you’ve been throwing a bone!”
With that, she grabbed a stack of A4 paper from her desk and flung it hard at him.
Smack! The papers exploded against Liu Chuanzheng’s face and scattered across the floor.
Zhang Xintong and the others were stunned. They quickly stood up—so gathering the papers, others trying to diate.
“Sister Wen Ruan, don’t be impulsive!”
“Director Liu, please don’t be angry. She’s been under a lot of stress recently. Let accompany you back to your office.”
Liu Chuanzheng’s lips trembled, and his teeth clenched as he forced out a low, growling roar.
He was on the rise in the company, poised to take on a sales VP role at headquarters.
This was supposed to be a minor warning to Wen Ruan—followed by a carrot to lure her closer to him.
But things had escalated beyond anything he’d expected.
What’s wrong with this crazy woman?
“You think playing with your little bit of power makes you important? Idiot! Is this all just so you can sleep with ? Go sleep with your mother instead!”
Clang! Wen Ruan shoved her office chair back into the desk, grabbed her bag, and strode out with long, decisive steps.
Her thick, wavy hair swayed slightly as she walked away, her figure exuding both confidence and allure.
The employees in the office exchanged wide-eyed glances, their faces a mix of shock and bewildernt.
Even Li iling, who had stirred the pot, was stunned. This was completely out of character for Wen Ruan, who was typically calm, mature, and composed.
In her two-plus years at the company, Wen Ruan had faced similar challenges before.
For instance, a major client had once tried to get her drunk and harassed her during a dinner eting. Back then, she’d handled the situation with both tact and composure.
Zhang Xintong’s expression shifted. Without hesitation, she grabbed her own bag and quickly followed.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
If Director Liu got promoted to VP, she’d likely be laid off as collateral.
But then she rembered Tang Song’s earlier ssage and Wen Ruan’s offer to take her along to Xingyun International.
Without looking back, she made her choice.
Ding! The elevator doors slowly opened.
“Wait for ! Hold on!” Zhang Xintong darted into the elevator just before the doors closed.
Wen Ruan glanced at her and said in a low voice, “Xintong, go back to work. There’s no need to get involved.”
She could endure retaliation herself but didn’t want Xintong dragged into it.
Zhang Xintong pressed the close button and gently grabbed Wen Ruan’s arm. “Sister Wen Ruan, I’ve already decided to follow you to the new job. What am I afraid of? Let’s just talk for a bit. If sothing’s bothering you, I’m here to listen.”
“I’m fine. I’m just in a bad mood. I’ll be better in a few days,” Wen Ruan replied, lips pressed tightly together and her gaze lowered.
The elevator descended slowly.
Beside her, Zhang Xintong softly consoled her, recounting rumors she’d heard from other colleagues about Liu Chuanzheng.
Rumors like stealing credit for employees’ achievents, getting divorced over an affair, and now battling his ex-wife in court over child support...
As they walked out of the building, Wen Ruan and Zhang Xintong unknowingly found themselves entering the Tuanjiehu subway station.
While waiting for the train to arrive, Wen Ruan’s phone buzzed.
Buzz buzz buzz—
She glanced at the caller ID.
[Director - Ning Song]
After hesitating for a mont, she picked up. “Director Ning.”
Ning Song was a good boss. He had recruited her personally and had always treated her well, ensuring her promotions and salary adjustnts were handled fairly.
Soon, Ning Song’s anxious voice ca through the receiver:
“Wen Ruan, what happened over there? Director Liu from Beijing just accused you in the executive group chat of deliberately sabotaging the partnership with igou. The CEO just told they’re transferring you back from Beijing! This is serious!”
“I haven’t done anything harmful to the company. I’m not in the mood to explain right now. Also, no need for HR to play any tricks—I’ll be submitting my resignation shortly.”
“Wen Ruan! What are you doing?! Don’t act impulsively! The current job market is tough. Let handle this with leadership—”
“That won’t be necessary, Director Ning. Thank you for taking care of these past two years. I’m about to board the subway, and the signal’s poor. Goodbye.”
She hung up and opened her browser, logging into the mobile version of the company’s OA system to submit her resignation.
Originally, Wen Ruan had planned to finish her remaining tasks at Light and Shadow dia and part ways amicably.
But life rarely unfolds as expected.
Now, she had no energy or desire to keep working.
She was aware of her own issues—at the heart of it, her mindset had crumbled.
Everyone has monts when they break. The more pressure builds, the more violent the release.
Watching her forr colleagues and classmates move forward with stable careers, love lives, and families, she couldn’t help but think about her past ambitions and dreams.
Her current age, her uncertain future with Tang Song—it all weighed heavily on her.
She felt lost, dejected, anguished, overwheld.
What she needed now was ti to heal before she could provide emotional support to those around her.
That’s why, when Tang Song had called her recently, she had used work as an excuse to avoid speaking with him.
She feared her negativity would affect him and worried she might say sothing inappropriate.
After all, she had always presented herself as an elegant and gentle older sister figure in front of him.
“Wen Ruan, where are we headed now?” Zhang Xintong asked.
“Take Line 10, transfer to the Yizhuang Line, and get off at Yizhuang Bridge Station.”
At the Banquet Hall
“President Tang! This is the Vice President of the Yan City Ancient Town Film Base, Li Quanhong, whom I ntioned to you earlier,” Liu Fangbo said with a wide smile. “Director Li is an old friend of mine, and several of our short drama projects are currently being fild at the film base.”
“President Tang, a pleasure to et you! I’ve heard so much about you—it’s an honor to see that your reputation doesn’t do you justice. Yan City rarely has such outstanding young talents as yourself.”
“You flatter , Director Li,” Tang Song replied modestly.
...
Besides Tang Song and the Fanfu Suzi dia team, several business partners invited by Liu Fangbo were also present.
The goal was clear: to use the montum of the recent 24 million yuan Series A financing to boost the company’s reputation in their eyes.
At 6:00 PM, everyone took their seats at a large circular dining table as the servers began to bring out dishes.
Clink!
Glasses touched lightly as golden liquid swirled in the clear cups.
Amid the clinking of glasses and lively chatter, the atmosphere was warm and congenial.
Tang Song, attending his first venture capital eting, felt a rare sense of satisfaction as the evening progressed smoothly. Encouraged by the positive developnts, he joined in and drank a little more than usual.
“President Tang.”
A faint trace of perfu wafted over.
Lin Muxue, poised and graceful, took the seat beside him, adjusting her skirt as she sat. She leaned in slightly, her breath warm and fragrant with a hint of fruitiness, mingling with her perfu’s sweet aroma.
“These are the business cards of the three executives we just t,” she said softly, handing over a few neatly arranged cards. “I also exchanged contact details with their secretaries and assistants. Let know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” Tang Song nodded approvingly, reaching out to take them.
Lin Muxue’s lips curved into a subtle smile as she caught his expression.
She had put considerable thought into preparing for tonight—accompanying Tang Song to the TS negotiation and banquet. Hours were spent poring over online tutorials, ticulously morizing business etiquette for such events.
Overall, she was quite pleased with herself and hoped Tang Song would be too.
Her plan? Encourage him to drink a little more tonight and use the excuse of taking care of him at Yanjing Tiancheng to subtly work her way into his ho.
And then?
A tipsy man and woman, a hazy, suggestive atmosphere—perfect for a one-night stand.
The thought sent a tiny shiver through her legs.
With her period around the corner, she was eager for another taste of Tang Song.
The only concern was her uncontrollable excitent during their tennis match last ti. If it ended up like before, with him having to carry her and leaving an embarrassing sweat trail—she didn’t even want to think about it.
As Tang Song pulled out his wallet, Lin Muxue offered quickly, “President Tang, let help you put the cards in your cardholder.”
Raising an eyebrow, Tang Song smiled and handed her both his wallet and the business cards.
Lin Muxue had to admit, this assistant was impressively capable.
Her attentiveness was spot-on, and her deanor—elegant, intellectual, confident, and composed—gave off the air of a polished financial professional.
Plus, her looks and figure were undeniably presentable.
A buzzing sound interrupted the mont.
Buzz buzz buzz—buzz buzz buzz—
Tang Song’s phone vibrated several tis in his pocket.
He pulled it out and frowned as he read the ssages.
[Zhang Xintong: "Tang Song, sothing happened!"]
[Zhang Xintong: "Sister Wen Ruan had a big argunt with the branch office leader. The two of them clashed in the office, and now her mood is really bad. I’m not sure about the exact reason, but she won’t tell . Maybe you should call her and check in?"]
[Zhang Xintong: Wen Ruan.jpg]
The attached photo showed Wen Ruan standing inside the subway. She was leaning against the door’s handrail, her expression blank and despondent.
Tang Song stood up and walked out of the banquet hall as he dialed her number.
“Hello, Wen Ruan.”
“Hmm, I’m on Line 10 right now. The signal’s bad, and it’s really noisy. I’ll call you back later, okay?”
Despite her efforts to sound calm, her voice carried an unmistakable undertone of dejection.
Tang Song imdiately realized sothing was wrong.
It could be work, family, or even the emotional toll of attending a friend’s wedding.
Thankfully, he would be heading to Beijing tomorrow. He could take the ti to see her in person, provide comfort, and talk things through.
He ended the call and returned to his seat at the banquet table.
Lin Muxue handed his wallet back with a sparkle in her eyes. “President Tang, the photo in your wallet is stunning! It’s got such a cinematic quality to it.”
The photo she referred to was one she knew very well—Tang Song at his most captivating. It reminded her of the mont she’d fallen for him during the investnt conference.
Cold and aloof like a solitary peak, exuding confidence and sharpness that drew every gaze—he looked like the male lead of a novel brought to life.
The photo depicted him with his head slightly bowed, holding an umbrella in one hand and a bouquet of blooming tulips in the other, with a dark suit jacket draped over his arm.
Set against the misty rain, complented by the backdrop of a rcedes S450, the scene was srizing—so much so that even Lin Muxue felt as if she might lt into a puddle just looking at it.
Hearing her comnt, Tang Song couldn’t help but open his wallet.
His long fingers brushed over the transparent film, gently touching the familiar photo.
It had been there ever since Wen Ruan gifted him the wallet, taken by one of her colleagues at the ti (Chapter 218).
The print quality was exceptional, clearly enhanced with post-editing.
This small detail reflected how significant that day at the Huiying Creative Park team-building event had been to her and how deeply he had left an impression on her.
Frankly, if not for the influence of the Lucky Badge, he likely would have remained entangled with this "big sister" dynamic for much longer.
That night, however, their relationship had advanced by leaps and bounds—so much so that Wen Ruan even shared a bed with him.
Though her period had prevented them from taking things all the way, the intimacy of that night had revealed truths about her that he could feel without reservation.
Outside, the sky darkened as the evening wore on, while the banquet buzzed with lively conversation.
As Tang Song gazed at the photo, mories gradually surfaced, causing a soft smile to tug at the corners of his lips.
Slipping his fingers into the photo slot, he carefully pulled the picture out.
Since receiving the wallet, he hadn’t used it much, nor had he taken the photo out until now.
The photo had a premium feel, its edges trimd precisely and delicately.
After staring at it for a long mont, just as he was about to slide it back into the slot, sothing caught his eye.
Flipping the photo over, he noticed a handwritten note on the back, accompanied by a playful emoji.
"Mr. Tang, co marry !"
(＾◡＾)
Tang Song stared at the words and the faintly blurred strokes of the smiley face, as though they had once been dampened.
In that instant, an indescribable emotion surged through him, pounding against his chest like a hamr.
He wanted to see her imdiately.
Sensing his change in mood, Lin Muxue softly asked, “What’s wrong, President Tang?”
“Xiaoxue, drive to the Yan City train station,” Tang Song said, his breathing noticeably heavier.
“Huh? Right now?” Lin Muxue glanced around in surprise.
Tang Song didn’t respond. He stood abruptly and, with a faintly apologetic expression, addressed the group:
“Ladies and gentlen, I deeply apologize. Sothing urgent has co up, and I must leave imdiately. I’m very sorry! I’ll host another gathering soon to make up for this.”
His voice carried an unyielding resolve.
Liu Fangbo and the others quickly stood up, offering polite words of concern and seeing him off at the banquet hall doors.
As Tang Song remained silent, Lin Muxue wisely refrained from asking further questions.
Soon, the silver rcedes S-Class drove out of the parking lot.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Tang Song opened a ticketing app and booked the earliest available business-class seat on the high-speed train from Yan City to Beijing.
Thankfully, he had brought his wallet, and all his identification was inside.
He then sent a WeChat ssage to Zhang Xintong, asking for Wen Ruan’s location.
Within ten minutes, the rcedes arrived at Yan City train station.
“Bye, Xiaoxue.” Tang Song waved at Lin Muxue before striding decisively toward the station entrance.
Watching Tang Song’s figure disappear into the station, Lin Muxue sighed deeply and rubbed her face in frustration.
Her plan for the night had fallen apart!
Who knows when she’d get another opportunity like this.
Sigh... Playing the long ga is tough. Xiaoxue sighs!
Beijing
The golden hues of the setting sun gently draped over every corner of the city like a soft veil.
Beep beep beep— The sound of car horns brought Wen Ruan out of her thoughts.
She glanced at the familiar yet distant streets around her and let out a quiet sigh.
She had lived in Jiugong for five years and was very familiar with the Yizhuang Bridge area. Back then, she and Simin often strolled along the Liangshui River here.
They would talk about their dreams for the future, and Sun Simin always said she’d buy a ho in this area soday.
Now, that dream had co true. Simin had bought a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartnt in Fuyuanli Community near the Yizhuang Bridge subway station.
The apartnt was 83 square ters, priced at 56,000 yuan per square ter, with a down paynt of nearly 1.5 million yuan.
Following the flow of people, Wen Ruan and Zhang Xintong entered the community through a small gate.
Wen Ruan checked the map and led Xintong toward Building 13.
The area bustled with activity—couples walking hand-in-hand, elderly residents strolling leisurely, kids playing, and people walking their dogs.
The neighborhood had a peaceful charm, with rows of old five- to six-story residential buildings. Thanks to the city’s recent renovation projects, the exteriors had been repainted a few years ago and looked well-maintained.
“Ruan Ruan! Ruan Ruan! Ahhhh!”
A squeal and hurried footsteps rang out.
Sun Simin, dressed in casual wear, ca running from the base of Building 13. The two of them embraced tightly.
“Mua~ Mua~ I’ve been waiting for you forever! You’re so busy these days, it’s impossible to schedule ti with you. So, how’s work going? Smoothly, I hope?”
“Yeah.” Wen Ruan nodded with a soft smile, not letting anything show. “Let introduce you—this is my colleague, Zhang Xintong. She tagged along to score a free al.”
“Welco, welco!”
The three of them chatted as they walked through the building’s entrance and climbed up to the fourth floor, where the paint was slightly worn.
With a snap of her fingers, Sun Simin grabbed the handle of her smart door lock and said mysteriously, “We bought a whole set of furniture from IKEA two weeks ago. I haven’t even posted pictures in my friends’ circle yet. Co take a look and use your refined artistic sense to give so feedback.”
Da-dada-da! Sun Simin swung open the door.
The interior was warm and inviting.
Light-colored wooden floors, white walls, vibrant throw pillows, a white wooden TV stand, and a light gray fabric sofa—all arranged in a clean and fresh IKEA style that radiated holy charm.
Wen Ruan imdiately recognized a few familiar faces sitting on the sofa.
There was Zheng Jinping, a university classmate; Su Keke, a forr colleague; and Sun Simin’s husband, Zhou Bo.
“Wen Ruan.”
“Wen Ruan, you’re here!”
“Wen Ruan!”
Zheng Jinping stood up, dressed in casual clothes, and looked at her with a mix of nostalgia and emotion. “Long ti no see.”
It had been nearly four years since their last eting, and the youthful charm of the university goddess had entirely transford into a mature and sensual allure.
Seeing her again stirred a flurry of emotions in his chest—a blend of renewed infatuation and wistful longing.
This was the power of a "White Moonlight."
She didn’t have to do anything. Just standing there, she naturally beca the center of everyone’s attention.
After exchanging greetings, Sun Simin and Zhou Bo warmly invited everyone to sit at the dining table.
The dining table was packed with dishes, from ho-style stir-fries to Wen Ruan’s favorite cooked specialties from her ti in Beijing.
With six people squeezed around the small table, space felt tight, making Zhang Xintong feel a bit awkward. She discreetly shared her location with Tang Song.
“Wen Ruan, I heard from Zhao that you’re going back to Xingyun International?” Su Keke asked curiously.
Wen Ruan nodded calmly. “I’ve already sent in my résumé. Old Zhao is discussing it with President Ji. When it’s finalized, I’ll probably go straight to the Yan City branch to complete the onboarding process.”
Su Keke was a forr colleague from her departnt, three years her junior.
During their ti at work, the two had gotten along well, and through Sun Simin, they had beco friends.
Like her, Su Keke was here to serve as one of Sun Simin’s bridesmaids.
As for Zheng Jinping, he had volunteered to be one of the groomsn.
After a while of eating, Wen Ruan suddenly asked, “Simin, do you have any alcohol?”
“Uh…” Sun Simin froze for a mont before smiling. “Of course! Co on, let’s have a little drink to celebrate tonight.”
Since their eting earlier, she had noticed that sothing was off about Wen Ruan—her mood seed heavy.
She’d been trying to cheer her up through casual conversation but had little success.
Soon, three cans of beer were opened, and glasses were lined up and filled.
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Clink clink clink.
The icy, tangy beer slid down Wen Ruan’s throat as she tilted her head back and finished the glass in one go.
Sun Simin hesitated but eventually refilled her glass.
As Wen Ruan’s close friend, Sun Simin understood her too well—this was one of those monts where all she could do was drink alongside her.
Su Keke, sitting across from Wen Ruan, couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion.
Once, Wen Ruan had been the rising star of their division—full of youthful energy, exceptional at her job, and incredibly capable.
Now, as they t again, all she could see was exhaustion and resignation in her deanor.
It was clear that the past few years hadn’t been kind to her.
After all, Wen Ruan was now 30. If she hadn’t left Xingyun International back then, she’d likely be in a higher position than Zhao Mingying now.
Instead, she was forced to rely on an internal referral to get a job at the Yan City branch.
The pay there wouldn’t compare to Beijing, nor would the job title carry the sa weight.
Worse still, when Wen Ruan had left Xingyun International, it had been with a heavy heart—burdened by humiliation and unresolved grievances.
Perhaps this return was her way of giving it one last shot to prove herself.
“Wen Ruan, let’s have a toast, just the two of us. It’s been years—I’ve really missed you.” Su Keke raised her glass. “Now that we’ll both be working for the sa group again, we’ll definitely have more opportunities to connect. Good luck!”
“Good luck.” Wen Ruan smiled as their glasses clinked again, and she finished her drink in one go.
Zheng Jinping interjected with concern, “Wen Ruan, you should eat sothing. Drinking on an empty stomach isn’t good for you.”
“My stomach has fully recovered during my years away from Beijing. It’s fine,” Wen Ruan replied, gently shaking her head. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
Outside, the last traces of the sunset vanished, replaced by the deep black of night.
anwhile, the high-speed train slowly pulled into Beijing West Station.
Tang Song strode out of the station.
The bustling crowd brushed past him, but his pace quickened.
His surroundings blurred as his focus narrowed.
Bang! The door of the taxi slamd shut as he got in, urgency etched into his every movent.
"Driver, to Yizhuang Bridge subway station," Tang Song instructed.
"Got it!" the driver responded cheerfully. The dual-tone BAIC New Energy car quickly picked up speed.
Ding-dong!
A WeChat notification popped up.
[Zhang Xintong: "Wen Ruan and the others are heading to a bridal shop to try on bridesmaid and groomsman outfits. Don’t worry, I’m still with her and trying to cheer her up!"]
Tang Song replied: "Xintong, send the bridal shop’s location."
[Zhang Xintong: Ti Impression Bridal Shop.map]
Tang Song opened the map and saw it was right next to the subway station in a comrcial area.
As the car exited the high-speed train station, the familiar nightscape of Beijing filled his vision.
The dazzling lights sparkled like stars, outlining the contours of this international tropolis.
Tang Song pressed his lips together, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him.
Ti Impression Bridal Shop
Ti Impression was a well-known chain store.
The owner was one of Sun Simin’s clients, and all the wedding-related arrangents were handled there at a substantial discount.
Sun Simin handed two perfectly fitted bridesmaid dresses to Wen Ruan and Su Keke before sending her husband and Zheng Jinping to pick out groomsn outfits.
Ten minutes later, Zheng Jinping stood frozen as Wen Ruan stepped out of the fitting room.
She wore a white lace gown with intricate detailing, paired with a shimring silver headband. Her delicate collarbones, slender neck, alluring features, and strikingly curvaceous figure made her an absolute vision.
She stood there quietly, like a breathtaking painting that no one could look away from.
If she showed up at the wedding like this, she would undoubtedly steal the spotlight.
Sun Simin, brimming with excitent, gave a thumbs-up. “Ruan Ruan, Keke, you both look stunning! Of course, my taste is impeccable!”
Su Keke, standing beside Wen Ruan, looked slightly uneasy.
Her figure was quite decent on its own, but standing next to Wen Ruan, she paled in comparison.
“Oh, and look at our dashing groomsman! Jinping, with your six-foot fra, you’re a natural clothes hanger. Amazing!” Sun Simin teased as she nudged her husband, Zhou Bo. “By the way, will your classmate still make it?”
The plan had been to have two bridesmaids and two groomsn, but one of Zhou Bo’s college friends had a last-minute work trip and hadn’t shown up for fittings yet.
Zhou Bo scratched his head awkwardly. “He told his company sent him on a business trip. It’s still unclear if he’ll make it for the wedding day.”
“Alright, we’ll just have to prepare for the possibility that he won’t co,” Sun Simin said with a resigned sigh, patting Wen Ruan’s shoulder and whispering, “It’s such a sha you don’t have a boyfriend. He could’ve made the perfect groomsman.”
In their six-person college dorm, Wen Ruan was the only one still unmarried, and Sun Simin genuinely worried about her.
Wen Ruan’s eyes flickered slightly, but she didn’t say anything.
Suddenly, Zheng Jinping spoke up. “Hey, there’s a prop guitar here for photoshoots. How about I play sothing for you all?”
Though his words were directed at everyone, his gaze remained fixed on Wen Ruan.
“Sure! Jinping was in the university band, after all. It’s been ages since I’ve heard you play the guitar,” Sun Simin clapped her hands in delight.
The others joined in, urging him to play.
Zheng Jinping picked up the acoustic guitar from the corner and leaned casually against a nearby high stool.
Flashes of their vibrant university days played in his mind as he adjusted the strings.
His "White Moonlight"—Wen Ruan—wasn’t soone he could let go of so easily.
Seeing her again today, and sensing her unhappiness, only deepened the ache in his heart.
Wen Ruan stood a few feet away, her delicate features calm yet tinged with an air of lancholy, as the gentle strumming of the guitar filled the room.
"Here we are!" the driver announced, pulling over by the curb.
After paying the fare, Tang Song pushed open the car door and stepped out.
The slightly humid evening breeze swept across his face.
He looked across the street at the brightly lit "Ti Impression Bridal Shop", took a deep breath, and ran his hand through his disheveled hair before striding inside.
By this ti, it was nearing 9 PM, and the ground floor was empty of custors.
“Good evening, sir. How can I assist you?” A slender, sharp-eyed shop assistant quickly approached him.
“My friends are upstairs, trying on bridesmaid dresses,” Tang Song replied.
“Oh, you must be Ms. Sun’s friend. Please head upstairs,” she said with a polite smile, gesturing toward the staircase.
Tang Song nodded and ascended the wooden staircase.
The soft sound of a guitar drifted down, accompanied by a male voice singing:
“Let see you again, from south to north...” Google seaʀᴄh novel✦fire
Tang Song took another deep breath as he climbed to the second floor.
In a cozy, window-lit corner, a group of six was gathered.
But his eyes imdiately locked onto one figure.
Wearing the bridesmaid dress, she looked every bit like a bride—stunningly beautiful, radiant, and captivating.
Click, click, click.
The sharp sound of his hard-soled leather shoes striking the wooden floor drew everyone’s attention.
Wen Ruan’s gaze shifted toward the source of the sound, and the mont her eyes landed on him, she froze in place.
Tang Song didn’t hesitate.
Striding forward, he moved past the others and pulled Wen Ruan into his arms, holding her tightly.
Before she could react, he leaned down and kissed her with fervent intensity.
Inside his heart, a quiet voice murmured, “Zhuangzhuang, I’m sorry.”
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