"...Her mother's illness came too suddenly, hitting her hard. And because of complicated family relations, she was forced to take on the responsibility..."

Tang Song’s hands massaged the older sister’s peach-shaped hips, his voice low and filled with emotion.

Wen Ruan shifted slightly, a touched expression rising in her eyes.

She was naturally an emotional person and could deeply empathize with the heroine Tang Song described.

A shy, sensitive, timid girl facing a massive family upheaval and crushing reality, that desperate feeling of utter isolation,

"This girl really has it rough. With her personality, she’s definitely going to be bullied."

Tang Song sighed, "Yes, truly pitiful."

Hearing his words and looking at his expression, Wen Ruan’s heart stirred, quickly sensing something was off.

She narrowed her almond-shaped eyes slightly, leaning forward, "Wait a minute, Tang Song. How do you know all these things about her family? Do you know her?"

Tang Song’s gaze flickered nervously, then nodded, "She was my deskmate for three years in middle school."

"What? Middle school deskmate?" Wen Ruan’s eyes widened as she suddenly stood up from his lap. "You’ve been all mysterious these past few days. Could it be because of her?!"

Tang Song’s voice dropped significantly, "Yeah... that’s the truth."

Wen Ruan cautiously stepped back, her eyes sharp and dangerous, "So don’t tell me this is another *Liu Qingning!"

"No, it’s not that," Tang Song smiled awkwardly and then, trying to sound objective and calm, recounted Zhang Yan’s troubles over the years.

High school, Liu Qingning, QQ messages, Yancheng Agricultural University, the semi-underground Tian Tong Garden...

Wen Ruan listened quietly, her expression shifting from initial anger, to surprise, and then to complicated silence.

This was no simple crush;

it was a near-faith-like, self-constructed emotional dependence.

In this regard, she could empathize even more.

Her own story with Tang Song hadn’t been smooth either, filled with many twists and heartbreaks.

Because of age and social status differences, she had also experienced avoidance, inferiority, and longing.

But she was braver, bolder, and much stronger.

However, she quickly regained her alertness, looking at Tang Song with bright eyes, "So, buddy, after all this buildup, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"She currently works as a copywriter in book marketing," Tang Song finally revealed his purpose. "And her company is a second-tier agent under Xingyun International Group. I want her to work directly at Xingyun International."

"Just arranging a job? That’s nothing." Wen Ruan’s eye twitched, "Xingyun International answers to you now. I’m just a 'worker' helping you hold shares. For something this small, just decide on your own. By the way, I have a video meeting soon. Let’s chat about family matters another time."

"Wait, Ruan Ruan." Tang Song quickly grabbed her arm and kissed her cheek. "Besides this, I need you to guide her a bit, help her... with some mental support."

Zhang Yan was too fragile. There were many things he dared not let her know.

But he couldn’t hide it forever. If the truth exploded, with her personality, she really couldn’t bear it.

Of course, mainly because Zhang Yan had suffered terribly these years;

he couldn’t bear to see this middle school deskmate suffer again.

He needed an 'emergency buffer,' someone gentle, patient, and subtle to help Zhou Hui build a fragile psychological defense.

In that regard, mature, steady, indifferent to life, and with few friends, Wen Ruan was probably the best choice.

He even hoped Zhang Yan could slowly grow under Wen Ruan’s protection at Xingyun International.

But there was another problem: Zhang Yan might resist this and would need a long time of psychological preparation.

"Damn it! Don’t tell me you want me to take the blame again?!" Wen Ruan’s voice instantly shot up, staring at him incredulously. "No way! Absolutely not!"

What a joke!

A sensitive, introverted girl with ten years of unrequited love;

a 'fallen princess' who just endured a family upheaval and sees you as her only lifeline;

plus a 'hero saving the beauty' kind of fate you engineered!

This buff is almost maxed out!

Such a girl has zero resistance to Tang Song’s walking hormone aura!

But he’s a complete scumbag! If she found out the truth, he’d be a walking bomb!

She already took the blame for Liu Qingning, Director Jin, and Su Yu. Now she has to carry the 'first love white moonlight (reverse edition)' blame?

Does she even want to live?!

Seeing Wen Ruan’s intense reaction, Tang Song could only smile awkwardly and grit his teeth to say, "Well... Ruan Ruan, you promised me before—you can’t back out now."

Wen Ruan instantly gave a baffled look, "When did I ever agree to that?!"

"I have proof." Tang Song calmly pulled out his phone.

He played a recording. Original content can be found at novel·fiɾe·net

A lazy, hazy female voice accompanied by suppressed breathing came from the phone:

[“Mm ah...**...What? What person...oh, Zhang Yan...it’s your call...mm ah...don’t...hurry...”]

Wen Ruan’s alluring face instantly flushed bright red.

She widened her eyes, staring at the innocent-looking dog of a man before her, unable to believe her ears.

She grabbed a file and threw it at Tang Song with anger and shame, "Setting me up like this?! And you... you even recorded it?! Shameless! Disgusting! Pervert!"

Tang Song caught the folder, then pulled Wen Ruan into a strong embrace, pressing her against the wall.

He said confidently, "You agreed to this with your own mouth. The evidence is clear;

you can’t deny it."

"You bastard!" Wen Ruan struggled fiercely.

But all her resistance was weak and soft against Tang Song’s strong physique, more like playful pushing and pulling.

Tang Song kissed her directly and launched his assault.

...

In the hospital’s lounge.

"Zhang Yan? Zhang Yan! What’s wrong? Your face is so pale!"

Lulu finally noticed something was off with her friend and shook her arm anxiously.

"I... I’m fine..." Zhang Yan snapped back to reality, trembling like she was electrocuted.

She hurriedly turned off her phone screen, terrified.

Lulu gently took her phone and set it aside, then used the back of her hand to check Zhang Yan’s forehead. "Are you too tired? Feeling unwell anywhere? Don’t scare me."

"No, really fine." Zhang Yan lowered her head, staring straight at the floor.

Seeing her dazed state, Lulu thought it was fear over her mother’s situation again and softly comforted her.

After a while, Zhang Yan suddenly stood up quietly, "My mom is about to have her checkup. I’m going to accompany her."

"Okay, then I’ll go first."

Lulu stood as well and couldn’t help but encourage her before leaving, "About the job, with Tang Song’s connection, you really should come to Xingyun International Group. Director Wen seems very nice and strong-willed. If we go to the new company together, we won’t face the workplace oppression like with that fat guy and can make a lot of money. Then..."

Like Zhang Yan, Lulu was a struggling worker in this huge city, fighting for survival at the bottom.

They both knew exactly what a good job meant.

Neither ever imagined they’d meet someone like Tang Song, a chance to change their fate given by heaven.

Of course, the key was Zhang Yan.

If she went with Lulu, their lives would open a new chapter just by relying on that connection.

But Zhang Yan stayed silent.

After a long pause, she shook her head softly, "No, Lulu... I... I want to try something else..."

"Huh?" Lulu was stunned, "You—"

This was Xingyun International! Soon to be listed on the stock market!

Before, changing careers might be due to fear of not finding a job or being eliminated.

But now, a shining golden path was right before her eyes, and she chose to give up?

Lulu couldn’t understand.

But seeing Zhang Yan’s expression, she swallowed her words.

She’d wait until her mother’s situation settled first.

The entire afternoon afterward, Zhang Yan was like a wound-up robot, expressionless as she followed her mother through the checkups.

Fortunately, Zhao Fei had arranged everything.

From the CT room to ultrasound, MRI, and blood tests...

Every step flowed seamlessly.

All she had to do was one thing—wait.

Yet this 'privileged' free time was more torturous than any physical exertion.

Because it gave her ample time to think, to overthink, to face the fundamental problem she had been deliberately avoiding.

Liu Qingning.

Since reuniting with Tang Song, she had been desperately avoiding even thinking about that name.

Sitting silently on a bench outside the CT room, Zhang Yan finally took out her phone.

Her fingers trembled as she typed "Liu Qingning - Qingning Technology" into the search bar.

Soon, scattered news reports and several photos appeared on the screen.

It was the Liu Qingning she knew.

Most reports were about "Qingmi AI."

The "Qingmi AI" app was a household name, with many users around her.

Launched just half a year ago, it had over 50 million registered users and was the most significant product of Qingning Technology.

Now, the app’s users were said to be nearing 100 million.

And Liu Qingning was the person in charge of this product.

The same age as her.

And herself?

An ordinary person living in a rundown rental, unable to even keep a job, relying on Tang Song to save her mother’s life.

Since Tang Song had close ties to Xingyun International Group, he must know Liu Qingning entered Qingning Technology.

They might have been in contact all along, their relationship unchanged.

Her belief that Liu Qingning abandoned Tang Song to come to the deep city was just a fantasy.

Tang Song, Liu Qingning.

They belonged to the same world.

A bone-deep inferiority washed over her like cold water poured from above.

Suddenly, the past two days of dreamlike weekends felt like a shameful thief stealing sunlight that never belonged to her while the moon wasn’t watching.

Tears unknowingly slid down her cheeks, blurring the dazzling name on her phone screen.

Time passed unknowingly.

The heavy lead door of the CT room slowly opened, and an orderly pushed her mother out.

Zhou Hui’s face was pale from sedatives and contrast agents, and her spirit seemed weak.

Zhang Yan quickly put away her phone, rushed over, and tightly held her mother’s cold hand.

Back in the quiet special care ward, the orderly skillfully adjusted the bedding and covered Zhou Hui with a blanket.

Soon, the attending physician came in with a schedule sheet.

"Today’s enhanced CT and ultrasound are complete. From the preliminary images, the situation is roughly as we expected..."

Zhang Yan nodded firmly, memorizing every word.

The doctor gave some advice about rest and relaxation before leaving.

The ward fell silent again, only the faint, rhythmic beeping of medical devices.

Darkness gradually settled.

Zhou Hui soon fell into a deep sleep.

Zhang Yan sat by the bed motionless, watching her mother.

*Knock, knock-knock.*

A soft knock sounded on the door.

Zhang Yan looked up sharply, nearly standing instinctively.

Tang Song entered quietly, carrying a large bag.

He smiled warmly and mouthed, "Dinner’s here."

They then went to the quiet lounge next door.

The food containers were opened one by one, all her favorite dishes she had casually mentioned before—honey-glazed char siu, steaming wonton noodles, and a serving of chilled mango pomelo sago.

"I didn’t know what you wanted, so I bought a bit of everything," Tang Song said, handing her chopsticks.

"Thank you." Zhang Yan lowered her head, eyes slightly moist, trying not to show it.

The dinner was unusually silent.

Whenever Tang Song offered her food, her body would tense unconsciously, and she’d quietly say "thank you" without reciprocating as she did the day before.

That budding intimacy and warmth seemed to vanish without a trace.

A flicker of confusion passed in Tang Song’s eyes, but he didn’t press further.

He slowed his eating pace to avoid awkward silence.

After dinner, they tidied up together.

In a lighthearted tone, Tang Song said, "Xingyun International is currently building a new AI marketing content team and urgently needs talent, especially editors like you with traditional media experience and good writing skills. The combination of AI and content creation is the hottest trend. Lulu already seized the opportunity. Your good friend can’t fall behind."

He had finally "cleared" the older sister’s side. Next was to get Zhang Yan to agree.

"Tang Song, you... must be very busy, right?" Her voice was soft, tentative. "Someone like you surely has many important things to handle daily."

Tang Song was stunned, not knowing why she suddenly said this.

Zhang Yan kept her head down and continued, "I’ll take care of my mom. I’ll work hard to find a job myself. You... don’t have to worry about me. Really, I can’t keep troubling you. Sorry."

She spoke slowly, as if each word required great effort.

"Zhang Yan." Tang Song sat up straight and looked at her. "Did you forget what I told you at noon?"

Her body trembled, long lashes fluttered, and tears almost spilled out immediately.

"I... remember."

"So don’t say sorry to me anymore."

She bit her lip hard, slowly stood, and said, "Um... my mom should be waking soon. I have to go take care of her. You’re leaving Yancheng the day after tomorrow. You must have many things to handle. You should focus on that."

Tang Song frowned, wanting to say something, but seeing her pleading, evasive eyes, he stayed silent.

He clearly felt Zhang Yan’s emotional state was seriously off.

This wasn’t simple inferiority or shyness;

it was a deeper fear.

Based on her personality, Tang Song had some guesses.

He sighed inwardly, helpless.

"Alright, go quickly. Auntie really needs company now."

Tang Song stood and watched Zhang Yan’s hasty retreat disappear.

...

In the special care ward, the lighting was soft.

Zhou Hui had just sat up as the orderly carefully arranged dinner on the small table.

After an afternoon of professional care and rest, her complexion had noticeably improved, no longer as gray and weak as before.

"Yan, have you eaten?"

"...Yes."

"Did Tang Song bring you the food?"

Zhang Yan was silent for a moment, then softly responded, "Mm," and sat in the chair beside her mother.

She began repeating the doctor’s instructions.

Seeing her daughter’s distracted state, a faint, barely noticeable worry flashed in Zhou Hui’s eyes.

After 8 p.m.

Zhou Hui finished her infusion for the day.

Zhang Yan stood, "Mom, I have to go home for a bit. Juzi still needs settling, and... there’s some work to handle at the company."

"Okay, it’s fine. Go with peace of mind. Xiao Li and Xiao Zhang are here. They’re very professional." Zhou Hui nodded, then carefully asked, "Will Tang Song pick you up?"

Zhang Yan’s expression tightened. She took a deep breath, "Mom, Tang Song is very busy. We’ve troubled him enough, and... he’s just here on a business trip in Yangcheng and will leave soon."

"Ah? This..." Zhou Hui’s heart skipped a beat, the ominous feeling rising again, "Then what about after..."

"Mom." Zhang Yan’s lips pressed tightly, voice low, "I’m going back first."

Seeing her daughter’s obvious evasiveness and forced strength, Zhou Hui immediately understood.

The worst had happened.

"Yan." Zhou Hui suddenly reached out and held her daughter’s hand. "I have something to tell you."

That rough, callused hand from years of labor was warm and strong.

The familiar touch made Zhang Yan’s nose sting, and she sat back down.

Zhou Hui politely told the two orderlies to leave, who immediately understood and quietly closed the door behind them.

Only mother and daughter remained.

Zhou Hui gently, repeatedly rubbed Zhang Yan’s hand.

"Yan," she looked into her daughter’s eyes, which shone with clarity despite their cloudiness. "Mom has no education and has lived a very failed life, nothing worth learning from, frankly, a useless person."

"Mom... that’s not true." Zhang Yan’s lips quivered, wanting to object.

Zhou Hui shook her head and interrupted, telling her about her two marriages.

"When I was young, to marry your dad, I broke with your grandmother’s family and traveled thousands of miles to a rural area in Yan Province. I thought if I kept the home, farmed the land well, and took care of him, that was my greatest support..."

"Later, with your Uncle Chen... I worked like crazy, treated his kids no differently than my own, and let them handle all the big and small matters at home..."

She wiped her eyes, smiling bitterly and desolately.

Zhang Yan learned her mother’s story fully for the first time.

Zhou Hui was truly unfortunate.

In one marriage, she gave everything for love and was left broken and wounded;

in the other, she devoted herself to family and children but was ultimately defeated by cold reality.

Her life was marked by hardship, endurance, and retreat.

After a long pause, Zhou Hui stopped speaking.

Sunlight shone on her daughter’s face, brighter than ever before.

"Yan, Mom doesn’t want you to follow my old path. I want you to be happy, to have someone who truly loves and protects you."

"A woman who meets a man who sincerely treats her well and has the ability to protect her in a lifetime is really rare!"

She squeezed her daughter’s hand tightly, speaking each word clearly.

"A steaming bowl of rice is right there on the table. If you don’t pick up your chopsticks quickly, do you expect others to save some for you? Don’t be foolish!"

"You met Tang Song, your middle school classmate. That’s your blessing! Heaven couldn’t bear to watch you suffer all these years and is giving you this chance. You deserve it!"

Tears blurred Zhang Yan’s eyes. She couldn’t hold back any longer and threw herself into her mother’s arms, crying uncontrollably.

Just like when she was a child, upset at school and seeking comfort in her mother’s embrace.

She sobbed, choking on her words, "But... I don’t deserve him. He likes other girls who are a hundred, a thousand times better than me..."

Zhou Hui held her trembling daughter, listening to her heartbreaking cries, her own eyes reddening.

She didn’t speak immediately but reached out her rough hand to pat her daughter’s back repeatedly, letting her vent all her grievances and unease.

After a long time, when Zhang Yan’s cries quieted, she softly said, "Silly girl."

"If he didn’t have you in his heart, why would he do so much for you?"

"Since he never thought you 'don’t deserve him,' why don’t you fight for it?"

"You have to know, some people, if you turn away, really are gone."

The night wind was cool on the way back.

Zhang Yan sat by the bus window, the countless lights of Yangcheng flowing like rivers of light flickering in her pupils.

Her mother’s words echoed in her mind,

"If you turn away, it’s really gone."

She walked back to Lanxin Garden Community in a daze, climbing the familiar six flights of stairs.

*Click.* The door opened.

"Meow~" Juzi, like a warm cannonball, immediately dashed out of the darkness, affectionately rubbing against her ankles and purring with all its might.

Zhang Yan bent down and hugged it, burying her face in its soft fur, taking a deep breath.

She turned on the lights one by one inside the house.

Standing in the middle of the living room, she looked around.

After a whole day of drying and ventilation, the once mottled, damp, and shameful walls now looked clean and new, glowing softly and warmly in the light.

She couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke them.

Then her gaze swept over the worn sofa, the balcony, and the simple bookshelf holding the "Dragon Ball" manga.

Her mind was in chaos. Sometimes the confident, radiant face of Liu Qingning that was almost unbearable to look at;

sometimes Tang Song’s smiling profile smeared with white paint as they painted the walls together, his kisses and hugs...

All these images collided and intertwined, making her gaze unfocused.

The first time she heard the name "Liu Qingning" was a bit more than a month into her first year of high school on a slightly chilly autumn day.

She was at No. 2 High School then.

In her heart, Tang Song was her closest and only friend.

He had said even if they went to different high schools, they would always be friends.

She believed it and remembered it carefully.

But his QQ avatar never lit up again, and she lost every way to contact him.

Finally, on one Friday afternoon, she summoned all her courage to enter No. 1 High School’s gate for the first time, wanting to ask if he had a new QQ account.

But all she saw was him standing under a banyan tree bathed in golden sunlight, smiling brightly with that exquisitely delicate and pretty girl like a porcelain doll.

Instinctively, she hid in the crowd. Then she heard people talking and the name "Liu Qingning."

From then on, that name followed her like a shadow, growing louder and louder.

Every time she went to No. 1 High School, whether on the playground, in the cafeteria, or on the pedestrian street and book café opposite the gate, Liu Qingning was usually by his side.

At that time, she desperately tried to become a top student.

But no matter how hard she tried, her grades were only average.

Because Liu Qingning was such a dazzling benchmark, she became increasingly inferior and timid with every longing glance.

Eventually, she completely hid herself in a neglected corner.

That hiding lasted ten years.

In the end, it was her ten years of waiting and her wish to "Dragon Ball" that finally brought about this incredible 'miracle.'

A miracle is called a miracle because it’s incredible, possibly a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"If you turn away, it’s really gone... Tang Song... Tang Song..."

She wiped away tears that had once again fallen without her noticing, repeatedly and unconsciously chanting his name.

An unprecedented stubbornness and impulse surged from deep inside her heart!

The timid eyes, always full of fear, seemed to kindle a bright flame, slowly beginning to burn.

She took a deep breath and went to her bedroom, hastily changing into her "most presentable" autumn outfit.

Then, from the bedside table, she carefully took out the gift box she had hidden.

Gently opening it, the earrings glittering with tiny starlight lay quietly on the soft velvet.

She trembled as she held them, looked into the mirror, and clumsily put them on.

The girl in the mirror seemed to start "glowing" along with the earrings.

Then, she dragged a dusty cardboard box from under the bed and pulled out a beautiful hard-shell gift box she had prepared long ago.

She placed 34 manga volumes in order, one by one, filling the box to the brim.

Carrying the heavy box, she said goodbye to Juzi.

Rushing out the door.

Her heavy footsteps echoed in the old stairwell.

She rushed out of the building and into the cool night air, flagging down a taxi by the roadside.

"Driver, to the Four Seasons Hotel, please."