Watching the Wuling Hongguang disappear from sight, Tang Song couldn’t help but replay the recent hug in his mind, feeling a tinge of regret. He realized he had been a bit stiff and should have seized the moment to initiate the hug himself. Gao Mengting had a wonderful personality—easygoing and natural—making her a great friend.

Then, Tang Song thought of his beauty therapist friend, Zhao Yaqian. Opening the system interface, he checked the "Betting Agreement" item.

Time Remaining: 9 days

On April 8, he had received this item, which gave him the courage to befriend Zhao Yaqian. In 21 days, they had gone from strangers to friends, chatting, skincare routines, dining, and traveling together. Zhao Yaqian was straightforward and a bit naive, never playing petty tricks and treating him well. Even if he wasn't attracted to her physically, he still liked her as a friend. Unfortunately, she never saw him as anything more than a friend.

He recalled something Zhao Yaqian had said: "We’ll always be good friends, right?"

Tang Song wasn’t foolish; he understood the implication behind her words. Taking a deep breath, he got into his BMW 330 and headed to Yunsheng Plaza. This time, he intended to get a facial and have a conversation with his beauty therapist friend. If she indeed had no romantic feelings for him, he’d end the betting agreement and withdraw the bet money. With the "Popular Me" title, the 300,000 yuan from the betting agreement was no longer as enticing. Without the constraints of this item, their relationship could be simpler.

……

Parking outside Yunsheng Plaza, Tang Song followed the bustling crowd to the familiar "Handmade Skewer Shop." He bought some of Zhao Yaqian’s favorite skewers and two cups of fruit tea. Walking along the familiar pedestrian street, he noticed that the lights and sign of Yizi Beauty Salon were off, even though it was only 8 PM. The salon usually closed at 9 PM, and even when closed, the sign remained lit.

His heart sank. No way… did they go out of business?

He immediately called Zhao Yaqian.

"Ding ding ding—ding ding ding—"

After a long wait, she finally answered.

“Hello, Brother Song, I’m here.” Her voice was strained, trying to hide the fact that she had been crying.

I knew it.

Tang Song bit his lip and gently asked, “Qianqian, are you okay?”

There was a pause before Zhao Yaqian started sobbing. “Brother Song… Yizi Beauty Salon… it went out of business. Your membership card… can’t be refunded, I’m sorry.”

Tang Song quickly reassured her. “Don’t cry. It’s not a big deal. Just find another beauty salon to work at. My membership card doesn’t matter as long as you keep guiding me.”

He heard her blow her nose, her voice choked with sobs. “The boss only paid us one month’s salary before closing, still owing me two months. This happened this afternoon. All the equipment was taken away. I only managed to take a box of skincare products and a few small instruments.”

“Brother Song, I’ll send you some masks and serums later. I’m really sorry.”

Tang Song softly replied, “You don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault. Blame that bastard boss.”

“Yes! That damned bastard! I’m so mad!” Zhao Yaqian shouted angrily. “My colleagues and I plan to file for labor arbitration, but it’s going to be tough getting our money back. He’s deep in debt and a total scumbag. When I first started…”

She vented about her exploitative boss and her unfair treatment over the past six months, cursing him furiously. Tang Song stood outside Yizi Beauty Salon, watching the passing crowd, occasionally comforting and agreeing with her.

Ten minutes later, Zhao Yaqian took a deep breath, sounding much calmer. “Brother Song, I’m fine now. Thank you for understanding and for listening to me rant. My cousin is working late today, and I’ve been holding it in. Talking to you made me feel much better.”

“You can call me anytime you need to talk.” Tang Song turned towards the exit, the cool evening breeze hitting his face.

“I didn’t want to bother you since you’re usually busy. I didn’t want to dump my negative energy on you.”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

“I don’t know what to do next. Tomorrow is the May Day holiday. I’ll take these days to prepare and hopefully find a job at a big beauty salon, one with full benefits.”

Taking a deep breath, Tang Song encouraged, “Life has its ups and downs, but it always moves forward. Hang in there, my beauty therapist friend. If you can’t find a job, you can come to work for me. I’ll take care of you.”

“Pfft—” Zhao Yaqian laughed. “I’m not easy to take care of. Skincare products, makeup, rent, clothes—I spend several thousand yuan a month!”

“Only a few thousand? That’s too little.”

“Brother Song, you’re getting arrogant! My cousin says taking care of me is harder than paying a mortgage.”

…

As they chatted, Tang Song reached the center of Yunsheng Plaza. Surrounded by people, many were streaming live on their phones, and couples were hugging, kissing, and holding hands. Tang Song stopped and asked lightly, “Zhao Yaqian, do you like me? I mean, in a romantic way?”

“Ah!” She gasped, followed by a long silence and the sound of her breathing, clearly shocked by his direct question. Tang Song looked up at the vast, blue sky and smiled at the bright moon. Since the game system had entered his life, it had turned everything upside down. He had undergone a transformation, practiced restraint and perseverance, established Smile Holdings, experienced a cognitive awakening, bought a car and house, unlocked the first stage reward, resigned, and started a business.

Growth isn’t always dramatic but is a process of settling and self-renewal. Now, he was much different from a month ago. At this moment, he could confidently and calmly say what he wanted to say.

The phone was silent except for the sound of breathing.

“Are you still there?” Tang Song asked.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice small and hesitant, accompanied by the sound of licking her lips and teeth. “Brother Song… you…”

After waiting a while longer with no clear response, Tang Song sighed. “If it’s this hard for you to answer, I think I know the answer.”

“I…”

Tang Song smiled and continued walking. “I just wanted to check. You must be tired today. Get a good night’s sleep. Bye.”

“Bye…”

Hanging up, Tang Song looked at the skewers and milk tea in his hands. He took a photo and sent it to Zhao Yaqian. Opening the car door, he sat down and started eating a juicy skewer. It was a bit cold but still delicious. After eating a few, he wiped his hands with a wet tissue and started the car. Just as he was about to leave, a clear system notification sounded in his ears.

"Ding! Betting Agreement condition 3 met! The current bet amount inflated to 300,000 yuan."

Tang Song blinked, puzzled.

What’s going on? Follow current novᴇls on noⅴelfire.net

The condition of “gaining Zhao Yaqian’s romantic interest” was stringent and couldn’t be faked. Then why was she silent earlier? After thinking it over, he decided to stop overthinking it. This was good news, proving their relationship was evolving. Thinking of Zhao Yaqian’s long legs, Tang Song happily turned on the music player. Listening to the pleasant tunes, he clicked the withdrawal button.

"Ding—" A message notification popped up.

The 300,000 yuan from the betting agreement was successfully deposited into his account.