Star Flower Garden Neighborhood, Building 8, Apartment 501.

“Whirrr—”

The warm breeze from the hairdryer dispersed the steam.

The fog on the mirror was wiped away in a small patch by Cheng Qiuqiu’s palm, revealing her cold, beautiful face still tinged with traces of sleep.

Her orange-brown, slightly curled long hair became fluffy and soft under the warm breeze.

Between the strands lingered the sweet, fruity scent of shampoo.

Last night, when she returned here with Yao Lingling, it was already past midnight.

Lingling, like an enthusiastic little squirrel, had prepared a brand-new set of pajamas, unopened toiletries, and soft towels for her.

The two of them lay on the same bed, chatting for a very long time.

They talked about design, gossip, work, and food, until neither knew exactly when they fell asleep.

This was probably the first time in her life she had slept in the same bed with a friend.

The fiery and lively Lingling was not quiet when sleeping;

occasionally, she would rest her leg on her.

But Qiuqiu did not mind at all. Instead, wrapped in that vibrant, lively energy, she felt a rare sense of harmony and warmth.

She stepped out of the bathroom door.

Her eyes immediately caught the energetic figure on the living room mat.

Yao Lingling was engaged in an intense glute and leg workout.

Sweat soaked her sports tank top, and the tight leggings perfectly outlined the full curves of her hips, radiating healthy and vigorous vitality.

“Finished showering, Qiuqiu!” Lingling stopped instantly upon hearing the sound, turned around, grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and her face blossomed with a bright, unclouded smile.

“Mm.” Cheng Qiuqiu responded softly.

“It’s almost eleven now;

this meal has basically become brunch,” Lingling said, sticking out her tongue playfully, “Wait for me, I’m going to rinse and change clothes, quick!”

“No rush, take your time.”

Because the company had provided an extremely abundant late-night meal after last night’s live broadcast, the two were not especially hungry at the moment.

After Lingling tidied up, the two went downstairs together.

Walking through the old neighborhood full of life, the late autumn morning carried a crisp chill.

The autumn wind was bleak, stirring fallen leaves on the ground with a soft “rustle” underfoot.

Lingling, however, was like a tireless little sun, enthusiastically introducing the surroundings along the way—from which supermarket had the freshest vegetables to which milk tea shop at the corner was having a discount...

After walking for a while and turning two corners, they arrived at a modest breakfast shop.

“Boss, two bowls of vegetable tofu, two egg pillows, and four wild vegetable buns!” Lingling ordered with familiarity, then took two small plates of free salty pickles from a nearby jar for each of them.

Soon, steaming hot breakfast was served.

Watching Lingling’s enthusiastic and thoughtful manner, listening to her chattering arrangements, a warm current surged in Qiuqiu’s heart, and she became more cheerful.

She quietly ate while listening to Lingling share various food stories and interesting tidbits.

After a while, Qiuqiu suddenly asked, “Lingling, have you three always rented here together?”

“Yeah, since graduation. Back then, Shumin and I worked at the same company, and Jiahong was preparing for civil service exams. This place is close to school and familiar, so we just stayed.”

“Then... now that you’ve all changed jobs, are you planning to move?”

Lingling swallowed the bun in her mouth and truthfully replied, “Yes! Jiahong and Shumin are now at Huashang Apparel;

the pay is great, and their company even offers housing subsidies. The rightful source is novel⟡fire.net

Our lease here expires next month.

Actually, we’ve been looking recently but haven’t found anything suitable yet.”

This was a very practical problem.

When they graduated, everyone started from scratch and just managed to get by.

But now that their jobs were stable and salaries had significantly improved, naturally they wanted a better environment.

Hearing this, Qiuqiu fell silent for a moment, then finally mustered the courage to ask, “Then... can I rent with you?”

Lingling was stunned for a moment and blinked, “Aren’t you living with President Gao?”

“Senior sister is moving soon, and also,” Qiuqiu’s light dimmed somewhat, “she’s a bit inconvenient...”

Lingling uttered a soft “Hmm,” as if understanding something, her eyes dimmed briefly.

Then she quickly recovered her enthusiasm.

Grabbing Qiuqiu’s arm excitedly, she said, “Sure! Of course! Then let’s pick a good neighborhood together! Four of us can rent two apartments opposite each other, and we can hang out often! We can rent a three-bedroom, turn one room into our design studio with easels and mannequins...”

Yao Lingling became more and more excited, as if already envisioning a beautiful future life.

Listening to her plan, Qiuqiu’s anxious heart finally settled down.

She was actually afraid of being alone and dared not rent by herself. Lingling was undoubtedly the perfect person.

That way, she wouldn’t have to worry about being under senior sister’s watchful eye or with Tang Song...

The guilt from that “immoral” feeling would be greatly eased.

She just didn’t know what senior sister and Tang Song were doing now.

.......

10 a.m.

Zhuxi Neighborhood

Sunlight filtered through the thick curtains, casting a bright band of light in the room.

On the bed, Gao Mengting lay lazily like a cat drained of all its bones, covered by a rumpled quilt.

She moved slightly, feeling sore all over, not even strong enough to lift a finger.

Tang Song was propping himself above her, looking down at her tear-streaked face full of pleading.

A deep smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Then a trace of helplessness appeared.

The partner’s body was just too sensitive.

Although she had initiated the challenge, she surrendered completely after less than five minutes, and afterward was entirely “tortured” by him alone.

If he were an ordinary man, his sense of accomplishment would be off the charts.

But for him, with an endurance level now at 84, this was truly “unsatisfied desire,” not even a warm-up.

Gao Mengting turned her head, burying her burning cheek into the pillow.

Her voice broke with sobs, “I’m not feeling well today... Let me rest a bit... just a bit.”

Seeing the pitifully bullied look on his partner’s face, Tang Song sighed and patted her round, firm buttocks.

Then he rolled off the bed.

“Rest well. I have something to do, so I’m leaving first. I’ll be at the company this afternoon. Don’t worry, you can sleep more.”

“Mmm~” Gao Mengting could only emit a weak nasal sound, too lazy to open her eyelids.

Tang Song dressed, and before leaving the bedroom, bent down to gently kiss her sweat-dampened cheek, then quietly left.

Just after stepping out of the unit door, he saw Liu Jiayi standing next to a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

She wore a black autumn-winter outfit with a high-neck knit underneath, standing quietly in the bleak autumn wind, looking both beautiful and poised.

“President Tang!”

With a soft “click-click,” the signature coach-style double door was gently pulled open by her.

Tang Song nodded lightly and bent down to sit inside.

“TC Club in Chang’an District.”

“Yes.”

Accompanied by the roar of the engine, the wheels crushed fallen leaves with crisp sounds.

The car slowly drove out of Zhuxi Neighborhood.

Nearly half an hour later, it stopped slowly in front of a quiet and beautiful small building.

Tang Song stepped out.

The club manager, who had been waiting at the entrance, immediately greeted him with a warm and respectful smile.

“Mr. Tang, hello.”

“Hello.”

“President Zhao is waiting for you in the multifunctional entertainment hall on the fourth floor,” the female manager said, turning aside elegantly and gesturing “please” as she led the way.

Tang Song followed her through the luxurious, tranquil corridor, his gaze scanning the surroundings.

According to the beautician, this place was a gift from Secretary Jin to her as a meeting gift.

The interior decoration was impeccable, elegant and refined.

It could be said to be one of Yancheng’s top high-end private clubs.

They took a private elevator directly to the fourth floor.

There were no other guests around;

it was so quiet that only their soft footsteps could be heard.

The female manager led him to a door labeled “Starry Sky Room,” bowed slightly and said, “Mr. Tang, please come in. If you need anything, you can call me anytime through the intercom.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Tang Song smiled, gently pushed open the heavy door, and stepped inside.

The first thing that caught his eye was the soft, technologically stylish ambient lighting.

Then, curled up on a dark green single sofa, was the beautician.

She wore a loose pinkish-orange home T-shirt and matching shorts, revealing smooth and delicate skin.

Her long, silky burgundy hair hung casually over her shoulders, making her look peaceful and sexy.

Tang Song’s gaze unconsciously fell on her legs, which shone faintly like wineglass stems under the light.

He had to admit, the beautician friend had really beautiful legs!

“Song Ge! You’re here!”

Seeing her boyfriend walk in, Zhao Yaqian’s beautiful face immediately blossomed with a bright smile.

She dropped the controller in her hand and, like a cannonball, ran barefoot with a “thump thump thump” straight into his arms.

Tang Song caught her steadily with a smile.

Zhao Yaqian lightly jumped, her long, shapely legs skillfully winding around his waist, clinging to him like a koala.

“Mua~ I missed you so much~ Mua~”

Her voice was charming and sweet, full of unhidden joy and deep affection.

While speaking, she planted one loud kiss after another on his face.

Tang Song’s eyes gradually softened, and their heavy kisses intertwined.

After a while, they slowly parted.

Zhao Yaqian still held his arm, her watery eyes sparkling.

Tang Song pointed to the screen, “Playing games?”

“Waiting for you to play with me,” Zhao Yaqian’s eyes shone with anticipation, “I just checked;

Steam has a lot of new co-op games. Look, this one ‘It Takes Two’ has excellent reviews!”

“Sure, I’ll play with you.”

Tang Song pulled over the nearby sofa and sat down, taking the controller handed to him by Zhao Yaqian.

The two leaned close and started tackling levels through bizarre and fantastic scenes.

“Aiya! Song Ge, pull me quickly! I’m about to fall!”

“You go step on that switch first! Then I can get through here!”

“Wow! This boss is so ugly! Hit it! Hit it!”

Zhao Yaqian was extremely engaged.

Sometimes she shouted in tension, other times she excitedly hugged Tang Song’s arm and jumped around after clearing a stage.

With Tang Song, she wore all her emotions on her face, like an innocent and lively child.

The room was filled with her crisp laughter, occasional screams, and the crisp “click-click” of controller buttons.

At some point, the beautician had already turned sideways and sat on Tang Song’s lap, curling up in his arms.

While guiding him, she randomly pressed buttons herself.

The game sounds gradually faded, but their breathing grew heavier.

Tang Song’s mood had already been stirred by his partner earlier.

Now, feeling the beautician friend’s supple skin and the unique blend of perfume and faint body warmth on her, blood rushed through him.

He dropped the controller forcefully and hugged the beautician tightly, savoring her intoxicating touch.

Zhao Yaqian bit her pink lips, a flushed, blissful redness spreading across her face.

The temperature in the air rose sharply.

On the screen, the two small puppet characters had long fallen off the cliff due to lack of control.

The word GAME OVER flashed, then the screen went black.

The pinkish-orange shorts hung on the corner of the display.

Zhao Yaqian’s fair, slender wineglass legs began to sway in the air.

Bathed in the ambient light, they emitted a charming milky glow.

At noon, the two, tired from playing, went to a private room on the top floor.

They enjoyed an exquisite Italian-style family lunch.

Zhao Yaqian excitedly helped him cut the steak, chattering about how impressive the chef’s background was.

Just then—

“Ring ring ring—” The phone suddenly rang.

Tang Song picked it up and looked.

His brow lifted slightly as he answered, “Hello? Zhang Lei.”

Since their last meal together, the two hadn’t contacted much.

Mainly because both he and Zhang Lei had been very busy.

Zhang Lei had just joined Zhongcheng Group and was still on probation, basically running business outside every day.

“Hello, Tang Song.” Zhang Lei’s voice was clearly tired and emotionally low on the other end. “Is this a good time to talk?”

“Yes, what’s up?”

Zhang Lei was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Are you free tonight? I want to have a drink with you and talk.”

Tang Song sharply sensed something unusual in his voice and immediately said, “Okay, where? Should I arrange it?”

“Let’s go back to that Tian Ji Barbecue from last time.” Zhang Lei’s voice carried a hint of bitterness. “I still have some money on my membership card there.”

“Alright, see you tonight then.”

“Mm, bye.”

Before hanging up, Tang Song couldn’t help but ask, “Zhang Lei, did something happen?”

Zhang Lei hesitated for a moment, then sighed heavily, “I’ll tell you when we meet tonight. It’s pretty messed up. I’m even embarrassed to tell you, ugh.”

After the call ended, Tang Song’s brow furrowed.

He could clearly feel how low Zhang Lei’s mood was on the other end.

When they last met, he was full of vigor, talking about making a big splash at Zhongcheng Group, mentioning the beautiful financial female colleagues, and sharing his plans for the future with great enthusiasm.

Clearly, something had happened.

His days spent with Zhang Yan in Yangcheng had also reminded him of many simple, pure memories from junior high—comics, handheld consoles, basketball, and skipping class...

He also really wanted to meet this former good buddy.

Have a drink with him and catch up properly.