5:30 p.m.

Xuanji Optical World Global Headquarters, 42nd floor.

President's office.

Beyond the wide floor-to-ceiling windows, the dusk over Shencheng Bay was slowly settling in.

Tang Song leaned back in his chair, wearing square-framed glasses, his gaze focused on the ecological interface integration progress chart on the screen.

Jiang Yourong stood beside him, slightly bent forward, her finger gliding across a tablet as she quietly explained fluctuations in a few key data points. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Today she wore a tailored gray skirt suit.

Because of the way she leaned in, the fabric of her blouse was pulled tight under her chest, nearly revealing everything.

A faint perfume mixed with her natural scent, drifting through the air like a whisper.

“Mm, no problem. Open the permissions for these lower-level interfaces and proceed at this pace.”

After finalizing the details, Tang Song reclined in his chair. He didn’t immediately turn his eyes away but let his gaze settle on Jiang Yourong beside him.

Under his cool, intensely probing stare, Jiang Yourong suddenly grew uneasy.

She even forgot to straighten up for a moment, staying mildly forward-leaning, her eyes flickering away and her breathing growing slightly rapid.

The office fell quiet for a while.

Tang Song feigned surprise, “What’s wrong, Professor Jiang? Stuck? Or is there something special to report?”

“Ah…” Jiang Yourong snapped back to herself, hastily straightened up, cheeks flushing, “Sorry, President Tang. Maybe I’ve been too busy lately, I… I spaced out a bit.”

“You’ve been working around the clock on XG-1 mass production tests. It’s been tough.”

“It’s fine, it’s part of the job.”

Tang Song’s mouth curved up and he lowered his voice, “Then… want me to give you a massage to relax a bit?”

At those words, Jiang Yourong felt her heart skip a beat.

She glanced at Tang Song’s handsome, deep-featured face and couldn’t help recalling that dangerously flirty massage in the Yangcheng hotel, her legs involuntarily clenching and her throat going dry.

But out of the decorum of a thirty-something professor, she reflexively deflected, “This… this wouldn’t be appropriate, after all, we’re at the company… and President Tang, you’re busy…”

“All right then.” Tang Song nodded decisively, turned back to face the computer, and picked up the mouse.

Jiang Yourong: (°)?!!

No—hey!

I was just performing the symbolic modesty bit! Going through the motions!

Can’t we play by the usual script? You could’ve insisted a little more, come on!

Can I still change my line to ‘actually that’s convenient’?!!

Seeing Tang Song refocus on the screen, Jiang Yourong felt a twitch in the corner of her eye, berating herself inwardly.

She inhaled deeply and murmured, “Well… President Tang, you continue working, I’ll go now.”

“Okay.”

After watching Jiang Yourong’s full, swaying silhouette disappear through the doorway, Tang Song couldn’t help letting out a low chuckle.

Between the pressure and hectic workflow, teasing this professional, intellectual, and extremely two-faced professor was a perfect stress relief.

Same older-type people.

The older sister who was wilder and more uninhibited than him, the female CEO dignified and steady, the noblewoman Ouyang Xianyue reserved and restrained—

yet out of all of them, this pleasantly plump Professor Jiang was the easiest to tease and the one most likely to crack.

He turned his attention back.

Tang Song picked up a thick technical dossier from his desk.

Opening the cover, his finger lightly stroked two ginkgo leaf bookmarks clipped inside,

one labeled “Tang Song,” the other labeled “Smile.”

[Special Item Buff Active: Memory amplification increased to 50%]

Plus the pair of [Tang Song’s Glasses] perched on his nose (greatly reduces eye fatigue, effectively increases reading and learning efficiency).

With the two perks stacking, the resulting synergy was terrifying.

Given his already formidable base attributes,

for a small number of documents he could read without forgetting anything.

For massive files and complex data models, he could extract the core logic, filter and reorganize in an extremely short time.

Not to mention Liu Qingning’s custom AIAgent intelligent office assistant that he had.

In just ten days,

as the newly parachuted CEO, he had quickly sorted out every technical detail, supply chain bottleneck, and market strategy for Xuanji Optical World’s three core product lines, and had preliminarily built his core management architecture.

He’d also established his authority in the company.

This ship called Xuanji Optical World, carrying the hopes of spatial computing,

had, in a meaningful way, finally been firmly placed at his helm.

The feeling of holding great power and controlling everything was intoxicating.

His phone on the desk vibrated, pulling Tang Song out of his thoughts.

He swiped the screen, and two messages popped up in quick succession:

[Xu Qing: “==(((··) Dynamic light waves whoosh!!!”]

[Xu Qing: “Tap-tap-tap! I’ve safely arrived at a large flat in Huarun City Runxi! This weather in Shen City is so cold!”]

A gentle smile spread in Tang Song’s eyes as his fingers flew over the keyboard: “Want me to come by tonight? We can have dinner, a little welcome home.”

[Xu Qing: “No, no! I’m meeting several university friends in Shen City tonight, can’t pay attention to you. (tsundere.jpg)”]

Tang Song: “Perfect, I’m also a Yanke University alum—everyone’s from the same place. Add me, let’s reminisce together.”

[Xu Qing: “No! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking!”]

Tang Song: “Hmm? What am I thinking?”

[Xu Qing: “Hmph, isn’t it obvious? Waiting until you get her drunk… let me and Yanyan—”]

Tang Song: “Let you and your bestie do what? Be specific, I don’t follow.”

[Xu Qing: “You big villain! Pervert! Bite you!”]

Tang Song: “You brought it up. If I come by tonight, you can bite me all you want.”

The typing indicator at the top of the screen flickered, then vanished, flickered again, gone—after fiddling it out, no message arrived.

Across the screen, Tang Song could almost picture Xu Qing holding her phone, face flushed, frustrated and helpless in an adorably flustered way.

He couldn’t help snorting with laughter.

Tang Song: “All right, send a cosplay photo. If I like it, I’ll spare you for now.”

Two minutes later.

[Xu Qing: photo.jpg]

[Xu Qing: “Scared you!”]

Tang Song opened the image.

It was Xu Qing cosplaying Ai Enma from Hell Girl.

Long straight black hair with blunt bangs, crimson cold contact lenses, a form-fitting black sailor uniform, pale thighs tied with red ribbons.

Rather than being frightening, the dark aesthetic was pure and provocative.

Tang Song: “Very faithful to the original. When I come over later, wear this outfit and do your makeup. I’ll personally inspect your ‘Hell Communications.’”

[Xu Qing: [cat_shocked.gif][I_choose_death.jpg]]

The two of them bantered back and forth until Xu Qing used “going to dinner” as an excuse to flee in a panic.

Tang Song glanced at his watch: 6:15 p.m.

He stretched, shut down his computer, and walked into the private rest suite off the office.

He took off his suit and changed into a neat gray twill leisure set, then took out the [Tang Song’s Baseball Cap] that Lin Muxue had just mailed him.

With the cap pulled low, his presence quietly became less conspicuous.

It was necessary.

Ever since his CEO appointment went public and his past was dug up by the media, he’d become a semi-public figure.

Not just in tech and finance, but even on entertainment social platforms his unfiltered photos had gone viral, drawing beauty fans and intellectual admirers alike.

To avoid being recognized and causing trouble, that baseball cap had become his essential off-duty accessory.

This was the first time since formally starting as CEO that he left on time like a regular employee.

Mainly because the thorniest tasks were wrapped up for the moment, giving him a breather.

Ten minutes later.

Tang Song stood at the exit area on the first floor of the Spring Bamboo Shoot tower.

Shen City was being gripped by a cold wave and dusk had come early.

Lights were coming on, the skyscrapers around Shencheng Bay glittered neon in streaks that shattered on the rippling water, and the light bands of the distant cross-sea bridge intertwined into a cyber-glow nightscape.

He stood there with one hand in his pocket, enjoying the view while he waited.

After an unknown amount of time, a familiar figure finally emerged from the after-work crowd.

Zhang Yan wore a long black coat over a light gray sweater and straight black suit pants.

Her shoulder-length hair was tousled by the wind, a few stray strands clinging to her pale cheeks.

Head down, bag strap in hand, hands in her pockets—she looked particularly slight against the cold, chatting softly with her colleague Lulu, a shy smile at her lips.

Tang Song pressed the brim of his cap, remaining silent.

Perhaps because the hat obscured him and the crowd provided cover, Zhang Yan didn’t notice him as she passed.

He quietly trailed a few steps behind them.

After walking a bit, the crowd thinned.

He quickened his pace, reached out and took her hand lightly, then gently pulled her toward his chest.

Zhang Yan startled, turned and saw him, first stunned, then breaking into a shy, surprised smile, “Tang Song… what are you doing here?”

Lulu’s eyes widened as she looked between him and Zhang Yan, comprehension immediate.

“Ah! I just remembered I have some work left at the office! Yan-Yan, I’ll go first. You have fun with President Tang, bye!”

And off she dashed.

Tang Yan’s hand was still being held by Tang Song; teased by Lulu, her face turned bright red, even her ears flushed.

Tang Song looked at her and pretended to sigh, a hint of wounded grievance in his tone, “I waited downstairs at your company for so long and watched you walk past me without noticing. It’s heartbreaking.”

“I—I’m sorry, I really didn’t notice just now…”

“Guess I just don’t matter enough.” Tang Song continued to play the part, though amusement lurked in his eyes, “But I saw you right away among all those people.”

“No, it’s not like that!” Zhang Yan grabbed his sleeve, eyes watering, “Don’t be angry, Tang Song. I really didn’t mean it. I’ll be careful next time, I’m sorry…”

Seeing her flustered apology and the imminent tears, Tang Song quickly dropped the joke and reached to ruffle her hair, “Hey, don’t cry, don’t cry. I was teasing—wasn’t really mad.”

Zhang Yan looked up and studied his face.

Only when she confirmed genuine lack of anger did she relax a little.

“I’ll really be careful from now on.”

She repeated softly, not letting go of his sleeve.

Seeing her like that tugged at something inside Tang Song.

The more he was with her, the clearer it became.

Zhang Yan was hardwired to people-please.

Starved for affection.

Ignored by her father, neglected by her stepmother, she grew up dependent on others, and after finally finding her mother, she fell into another complicated family situation.

She learned early on to read faces, to be cautious, to minimize her own needs.

Introverted, sensitive, always putting herself last.

He couldn’t imagine what her life would be like without a system-level reversal of fate, without the courage to send that one letter…

If she married someone else in the ordinary parallel world, what would become of her?

He always felt that even without supernatural help, Zhang Yan would, in the end, as in a long high school dream he once had, return to Jing County and take the initiative to ask someone to find him for a blind date.

For such an introverted girl, how much courage would that require?

Tang Song sighed inwardly, feeling a little rotten for his thoughts.

“Let’s go.”

He tightened his grip on her cool hand and pulled her forward.

Zhang Yan obediently followed, head down, walking close at his side.

After a while,

he suddenly stopped and turned to face her.

“Zhang Yan.”

“Mm.” She immediately looked up, like a good student called on in class, eyes wide.

“There’s something I need to inform my girlfriend about in advance.”

At the word “girlfriend,” Zhang Yan’s eyelashes fluttered and her heart stuttered. She whispered, “W-what is it?”

“Work at Xuanji Optical World is relatively stable for now. Before the New Year I’ll be going to Europe to pick up a custom-ordered yacht and I’ll be away from Shen City for a while. Then it’ll almost be New Year.”

“Okay.” She nodded obediently, asking neither when he leaves nor how long.

“When I return for the New Year, want to visit our middle school?”

“Sure.” Her eyes brightened like stars.

“By the way, your sister Shuangshuang already went back today, right?”

“Mm.” She nodded.

Chen Shuangshuang had spent over a week in Shen City and happily took a new tablet back to Yangcheng.

Now Zhang Yan lived alone in that large flat by Shencheng Bay.

Tang Song looked down at her and deliberately lengthened his voice, “So are you scared of sleeping alone tonight? Want me to stay over?”

Zhang Yan’s face flushed crimson, nearly bleeding color, and after staring for a long moment she barely nodded.

“Let’s go.” He continued walking, holding her hand.

At his side, Zhang Yan kept stealing glances at his jawline traced under the shadow of his cap.

After some distance, she mustered the courage to whisper, “Tang Song… where… where are we going?”

“It’s so cold, of course we’re going to where you live.”

“But… I haven’t had dinner.”

“I’ll be your dinner.”

“Ah… I—”

“Don’t be scared, I’m just teasing.”

“...Oh.” She breathed out and lowered her gaze.

“Really not letting me eat?” His fingertips tickled her palm and he lowered his voice, “Then… can I at least touch?”

“......”

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as permission.”

“I…”

“It feels nice, I’ll teach you.”

“You… there are people over there… they’ll hear.”

“If we go home and there’s no one, then we can say it, right?”

...

January 25, 2024, Thursday, cloudy, 6°C–14°C.

Shen City, Huarun City Runxi, Room 5201.

7:00 a.m.

Dawn barely breaking, the bedroom was still a little dim.

On the wide, soft bed.

“Hehehe… hehe heh heh…”

Xu Qing’s mouth was rimed with a string of drool, eyes tightly shut—clearly still dreaming about yesterday’s “fans meeting at the airport”—occasionally letting out silly little laughs.

“Smack!”

Something soft and springy slapped her face and immediately sealed her nose and mouth tight.

“Mmm mmm mmm!”

Xu Qing snapped awake from her dream, frantically pushing the “weapon” off her face.

She blinked toward the culprit beside her.

Guilty party Shen Yuyan lay propped on one hand, side-lying on the bed, smiling at her.

The neckline of her sleepwear had been pushed wide open, the full curves conspicuous.

Clearly the “physical suffocation” earlier had been done with that region pressed over Xu Qing’s face.

Xu Qing pouted, face flushing, “What are you doing? It’s so early... put your clothes on.”

“You were drooling so lewdly in your dream your saliva got on my chest. How filthy!” Shen Yuyan rolled her eyes without mercy.

“You’re the lewd one!” Xu Qing huffed, trying to strike back, “Don’t get cocky—you’re just fat! All fat!”

“But my fat is in the right places,” Shen Yuyan sat up leisurely and raised an eyebrow, smiling, “unlike someone whose fat is all in the thighs and belly—and face.”

“You! You conniving Yuyan!” Xu Qing yowled like a cat with its tail stepped on, “We still haven’t settled that video incident!”

“Video?” Shen Yuyan sat up fully, feigning innocence. “It was your boyfriend who insisted I take it. I couldn’t control myself… Qingqing, I feel bad too. Want me to go teach your boyfriend a lesson so he won’t do that again?”

Xu Qing’s face turned crimson, “I—I… you clearly enjoyed it yourself! You flirtatious hooligan!”

“Hahaha.” Seeing her friend scolded and flustered, Shen Yuyan couldn’t contain her laughter.

Xu Qing, indignant, pounced in a clawing assault.

The two of them instantly tangled like octopi.

After an intense bout of bed wrestling,

they lay side by side, panting, disheveled and half-exposed.

Shen Yuyan smoothed her messy hair and said, “Okay, don’t get shy at every turn. We’ve shared underwear for years, what’s left to see? It’s just a video. A full-frontal brawl is only a matter of time.”

She leaned in, lowered her voice, “Tell me, when it happens… will you be on top, or will I?”

Boom!!!

Xu Qing’s brain detonated.

A thousand heavily pixelated images popped up in her mind.

Help!

This woman is insane!

How can she say such things so casually!

“You—what are you talking about! I’m not listening! Toad chanting!”

Xu Qing rolled on the bed in shame and stuffed a pillow over her head.

Shen Yuyan shook her head laughing, got out of bed and pulled the covers aside, “I’m up. I’ll order breakfast and bring it over later.”

At the door she turned back and warned, “You’re meeting Ms. Ouyang today. Mind your manners—don’t blurt things out.”

“Got it! Got it! Nag, nag!” Xu Qing’s muffled voice came from under the pillow.

When her friend closed the door and left, Xu Qing peeped out from her red face.

She hugged the blanket and writhed around on the bed like a fish out of water.

Her mind, however, stubbornly replayed Shen Yuyan’s lascivious lines.

Damn Little Song!

Damn scheming Yuyan!

How dare they!

She rolled and wailed until her stomach growled, then reluctantly got up.

She washed, did skincare, and styled her hair carefully.

After all, she had this morning’s meeting with Ms. Ouyang.

Thinking of the powerful, maternal, composed figure on the phone, Xu Qing’s eyes sparkled again—

this was a golden opportunity she had to secure!

According to reports, Little Song’s early AI breakthroughs were developed together with this aristocratic lady.

Surely he admired and even respected her.

If she could latch onto that golden thigh…

If he dared bully her in the future, she’d go straight to Ms. Ouyang and get it sorted in a flash!

Imagining it made Xu Qing hum happily as she stepped out of the master bedroom.

She ran into Jiang Yourong coming out of the secondary bedroom.

Jiang wore black, techy framed AR glasses and was sliding a finger along the temple as if testing a voice-interaction function, murmuring to herself.

“Morning, Qingqing.” Jiang Yourong paused and turned with a smile.

“G-good morning, Professor Jiang.”

Xu Qing lifted a hand reflexively to greet, but when her eyes landed on Jiang Yourong, she froze.

Last night after dinner, Jiang had worn an extremely loose coral-fleece pajama and in the dim light Xu Qing only thought the professor was a little plump.

But goodness!

This morning, in a close-fitting light undershirt, Jiang’s true shape was revealed.

Those breasts…

How could they be that big?!

They were practically a size larger than her face!

Damn it!

Xu Qing glanced down at herself and quietly tugged her own pajama neckline higher.

The two of them made their way to the dining room.

On the large table, Shen Yuyan had already laid out an extremely abundant breakfast.

A steaming claypot seafood congee, translucent shrimp dumplings, richly sauced red rice rolls, piping hot golden lava custard buns...

The aroma was mouth-watering.

Seeing the spread, Xu Qing and Jiang Yourong both exclaimed “Wow—”

Their eyes brightened and they swallowed in perfect synch.

Sensing each other’s foodie instincts, they exchanged an awkward look and then a knowing smile before taking seats.

Both reached for chopsticks and simultaneously lunged for the largest, plumpest lava custard bun in the steamer basket.

“Smack—”

Their chopsticks clashed mid-air.

The moment froze for an instant.

As an elder and teacher, Jiang Yourong blushed slightly and looked embarrassed.

She rotated her wrist, took the bun and placed it on Xu Qing’s plate.

Softly, “Qingqing, you try it first. This old-brand lava bun is delicious—salty-sweet and not greasy at all.”

“Thank you, Professor Jiang!”

Xu Qing didn’t hesitate and bit in.

The golden molten filling burst out, scalding her and making her grimace like a panting puppy, but she stubbornly refused to spit it out, nodding feverishly, “Ooh—so hot! Mmm! Really good!”

Seeing her protective, cute enthusiasm, Jiang Yourong couldn’t help smiling.

She thought to herself that this intimate friend was far more endearing than that overachieving Shen Yuyan.

From one lava bun the chatter opened up.

From old teahouses sprouting across Shen City to the old restaurants in Yancheng, from the spicy dry pot in Yanke University’s cafeteria to the grilled cold noodles and meat floss buns near the southern gate of the science university...

The conversation flowed and they grew more excited, making the congee taste all the sweeter.

By the time Shen Yuyan finished a few urgent work emails and looked up for breakfast, she was stunned.

Half the food on the table was already gone; her friend and Professor Jiang had mouths full of oil and had even agreed to go to an 800-yuan-per-head seafood buffet tonight.

...

9:30 a.m., Huarun City Runxi Phase 1, downstairs.

A black Audi A8L glided to a stop. Secretary Chen, dressed in a neat suit skirt and poised, quickly stepped forward and opened the rear door.

Xu Qing, wearing a Celine trench, carefully got into the car, hands folded neatly on her lap, doing her best to play the quiet, obedient young woman.

The car drove toward Shekou Mid-Mountain.

Glancing at the bustling streets flashing by, her heart raced like a trapped rabbit as she rehearsed what to say at the meeting.

Afraid one wrong word would upset the big boss.

The vehicle entered a green, private villa district and stopped in front of an elegantly styled detached house.

Secretary Chen escorted Xu Qing through the manicured garden path to the front door.

“Miss Xu Qing, Ms. Ouyang is inside personally preparing tea for you.”

Making tea herself?!

Xu Qing felt honored and waved her hands, “Thank you, Ms. Ouyang, it’s too much trouble… really too much trouble…”

“Heh heh, this is how she shows respect.”

They entered the first floor and came to a tasteful wooden sliding door.

Secretary Chen paused, turned aside and gestured, “Please come in, Miss Xu Qing. I won’t go in to disturb.”

With a small bow, she quietly stepped away.

Xu Qing took a deep breath, lifted her hand, and gently knocked.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

“Come in.” A warm, calm, magnetic female voice from inside sounded like mountain spring water and put the listener at ease.

Xu Qing slid the door open.

The tea room scene spread before her.

The space was not large but arranged with deep Zen taste.

One side was a full-length window looking out at a carefully composed dry landscape garden—white sand like still water, dark stones like distant mountains.

At the low tea table in the center, Ouyang Xianyue knelt on a meditation cushion.

She wore a moon-white, elegantly plain Chinese dress with the sleeve slightly rolled up to reveal a fair wrist.

Her black hair was loosely pinned into a bun with a few tendrils at her temples, lending softness.

Sunlight fell gently across her, casting a tender glow on her graceful profile.

She sat quietly and exuded an earth-mother kind of supreme charm.

Part aristocratic calm and dignity carved into one’s bones, part maternal radiance that made people want to draw close and rely.

Xu Qing stood at the doorway, momentarily stunned.

This was no corporate “Precision Queen” swaggering the business world—this was a noblewoman stepped out of an ancient painting!

My god! Her aura is unreal!

If she were ten years older and struck up a conversation, she could officially become my godmother!

Then my life would perfectly mirror every novel trope where the heroine befriends a mysterious noblewoman and instantly goes on an unstoppable rise to prominence!

If I’m ever wronged, godmother will strike like thunder, protect me, and in a snap crush the “crooked Little Song”!

Make him kneel on a washboard and sing Triumph to me!

Ha ha ha ha!

Thinking that, still standing in the doorway, Xu Qing couldn’t help but giggle out loud.