Ginkgo Leaves Were Falling

September 15, 2023, Friday, sunny, 19–29°C.

In the morning, she stood on a field ridge, surrounded by layer upon layer of terraced fields. Rice ears hung low, and the air was filled with the damp scent of earth and the faint smell of cooking smoke.

Qiu Qiu ran forward along the path.

The distant sounds of crowing chickens and barking dogs mingled with everyday chatter in a local dialect.

"Little sister, what are we cooking today?" "Steamed corn buns!"

The familiar village lay right before her eyes, yet no matter how hard she ran, she could not reach it.

An anxious expression appeared on her face, sweat dripping down with a pitter-patter.

The familiar scene soon turned strange.

The once golden rice paddies gradually faded into a grayish white, like scenery in an old photograph stripped of all vibrant life.

Just then, a stooped figure slowly approached along the narrow path between the fields. Her hair was silver-white, and deep wrinkles crisscrossed her face.

She wore a faded blue cloth shirt and carried a bamboo basket filled with freshly picked red chilies.

"Grandmother! Grandmother!"

Her grandmother did not turn around. She simply kept walking forward.

Qiu Qiu wanted to shout, but her voice caught in her throat, and only hoarse whimpers came out.

"Thud, thud, thud, thud—" Her footsteps were hurried, yet she felt as though she were stepping on clouds. The ground beneath her feet grew softer and softer, each step like sinking into a swamp that she could barely pull herself free from.

When she looked down, the rice paddies had already become muddy pools, reflecting a shattered sky.

Suddenly, her grandmother stopped and turned around.

Her face was still kind, but it carried an indescribable weariness and sorrow.

"Qiu Qiu," her voice was slow and drawn out, thick with a Sichuan accent, "why didn't you bring the money back? I can't wait any longer—"

Before she could finish, her body began to break apart, turning into countless tiny specks of dust that the wind scattered through the air.

Qiu Qiu reached out, trying to catch something, but touched only cold dampness.

Early morning, before dawn.

Inside the dim bedroom.

Qiu Qiu suddenly sat upright, her hands covered in icy tears.

Soft sobs echoed through the room.

She covered her cheeks with both hands, curling up against the headboard as her body trembled slightly.

Outside the window, the sky gradually brightened.

After wiping away her tears, Qiu Qiu threw back the covers and stood up, but her legs were slightly weak from all the running in her dream.

After checking the time, Qiu Qiu changed into a sweatshirt and sweatpants, then walked out of the bedroom expressionlessly.

At this hour, Senior Schoolmate had not gotten up yet. The living room was dim and a little frightening.

Qiu Qiu took a deep breath and opened the balcony curtains. Morning light immediately flooded in, carrying the crisp chill unique to early autumn.

She sat quietly on the sofa, watching the sky outside grow brighter and brighter.

Only then did she put on her running shoes and take the elevator down to the first floor.

She put on her Bluetooth earphones and played some music.

Su Yu's singing began to envelop her, and her mood gradually eased.

Qiu Qiu tucked her hands into her sweatshirt pockets, lowered her head, and slowly walked toward the entrance of the residential complex.

Once she reached the street, the surroundings instantly became lively.

Streams of passing cars, pedestrians doing morning exercises, and the fragrance of fried dough sticks—life carried on as usual. Yet for her, it all seemed separated by a transparent barrier.

She could never truly blend into it.

She had always been a very timid person.

She was afraid of the dark, bugs, thunder, and lightning.

And she often had nightmares.

That was one of the reasons she had gathered courage and taken the initiative to share an apartment with Senior Schoolmate Gao Mengting.

Otherwise, given her personality, being alone would actually have been the best choice. It would also have kept her negative emotions from affecting others.

She had no goals in life.

After listening to five songs, Qiu Qiu bought some breakfast by the roadside and returned to the rental house.

She set the breakfast on the dining table.

Just then, the master bedroom door opened, and Gao Mengting emerged with a yawn.

"Hello, good morning, QQ." There was warmth and teasing in her voice.

Ever since Tang Song had started calling her QQ, Gao Mengting and several familiar coworkers had begun using the nickname too.

Cheng Qiuqiu said softly, "Good morning, Senior Schoolmate. Breakfast is still hot. Let's eat together."

"Thanks. Wait for me a moment." After saying that, Gao Mengting ducked into the restroom.

She used the toilet and washed her hands.

Soon, the two sat face to face at the dining table.

As Gao Mengting ate a fried dough stick, she asked, "How much was it? I'll transfer it to you."

Cheng Qiuqiu hurriedly shook her head and said seriously, "No need. You always drive me around, so just consider it gas money." "Uh... fine. I won't argue with you."

Knowing Cheng Qiuqiu's personality, Gao Mengting did not say anything more.

After breakfast, they washed up and put on makeup.

The two carried their bags downstairs.

As soon as they reached the ground floor, the headlights of the parked Mercedes-Benz E300L flashed, unlocking the car.

"Get in!" Gao Mengting snapped her fingers energetically and winked at the Big-Chested Junior Schoolmate.

Cheng Qiuqiu covered her mouth and laughed softly, then opened the car door and got into the front passenger seat.

The car was filled with a faint perfume scent mixed with the smell of leather seats.

Gao Mengting skillfully started the car, slowly drove out of the residential complex, and merged into the morning traffic.

As Cheng Qiuqiu watched her Senior Schoolmate enthusiastically describe the driving experience beneath the sunlight, the gloom in her heart gradually dispersed a little.

"Morning."

"Morning."

After greeting her coworkers, Cheng Qiuqiu sat down at her desk.

She tidied up her things, turned on her computer, and began working.

This time, she did not rush to redesign the brand LOGO, standard colors, supplementary graphics, and so on.

Instead, she carefully read up on the IP known as "He Yiyi," including the brand values it conveyed.

Its development history, key events, brand positioning, target audience, and more.

The words of Stardust International Group's art director were like a thorn lodged in her heart.

She did not want to disappoint Tang Song and her Senior Schoolmate, and she also wanted to prove her worth at work.

He Yiyi Live Stream Room currently accounted for 67% of Songmei Clothing's sales, making it the company's absolute mainstay.

It streamed an average of five days per week, four hours per day, with viewership per session consistently exceeding 700,000.

Its audience was concentrated between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five, mainly working women and freelancers.

The average order value ranged from 200 to 500 yuan.

They had a certain degree of spending power and valued design and quality while pursuing good value for money.

The more Cheng Qiuqiu read, the more she understood the importance of her work.

The Visual Identity System she created was not merely about the LOGO and fonts. It would also affect subsequent clothing development and the arrangement of the live stream room.

When she had first switched jobs from Inspiration Design, coupled with being offered a salary of over ten thousand yuan, Cheng Qiuqiu had carried the immature mindset of a student. She had been desperate to prove herself, even using C4D to create animations for the LOGO.

The design had also focused heavily on showing off technical flair.

Now that she thought it over carefully, Stardust International Group's art director had been right.

As someone lacking experience, she truly had been too eager for quick success.

Cheng Qiuqiu bit her lip, feeling both lingering fear and self-reproach.

She checked the time.

09:20.

At this time on Friday, He Yiyi happened to be live streaming. Cheng Qiuqiu immediately stood up and walked toward K3 Live Stream Room.

She needed a deeper understanding of He Yiyi's streaming style, manner of communication, and temperament in order to better design what she wanted.

When she arrived outside the live stream room, she took a deep breath.

Cheng Qiuqiu first knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open and walking in.

Then He Yiyi's voice reached her ears, gentle and magnetic, with a leisurely storytelling quality, as if she were chatting with old friends.

"This is a dress I've been especially fond of lately. It's the kind of piece that lazy people absolutely need—you don't need any styling skills at all. Just throw it on, and you'll look amazing."

"Look, this A-line cut hides the hips and makes you look slimmer. The fabric is a slightly stretchy cotton-linen blend too, so it's incredibly comfortable to wear."

After listening for only a couple of sentences, Cheng Qiuqiu felt that she stood out too much here and walked toward a corner.

As she rounded a decoration, two familiar figures appeared before her.

Gao Mengting and Tang Song sat in the makeup area of the live stream room, watching He Yiyi's broadcast while speaking quietly.

They were sitting very close together.

One was handsome and tall, the other gentle and elegant. They looked exceptionally well-matched and pleasing to the eye.

Cheng Qiuqiu's heart skipped a beat, and she suppressed her complicated feelings.

A gentle smile appeared on Gao Mengting's face. She waved at her, signaling for her to come over.

"President Tang, President Gao." Standing beside Gao Mengting, Cheng Qiuqiu said quietly, "I came to watch Sister Yi Yi's live stream and look for some inspiration for the design."

Gao Mengting patted her arm and said affectionately, "Keep it up!"

"QQ, sit here. I happen to have something to take care of." Tang Song stood up and gestured for her to come over.

Cheng Qiuqiu glanced at Tang Song, nodded lightly, and sat down in the office chair that still carried his scent and lingering warmth.

Her lips were pressed tightly together.

Tang Song's gaze discreetly shifted to the top of the cool designer's head.

Cultivating: 15% (Not Germinated)

Good lord! It jumped straight to 15% after just one night apart?

Just how dark was her heart?

At this rate, Cheng Qiuqiu's Dream Flower Seed would likely germinate in about a week, which also meant that a connection would officially be established between them.

What Tang Song was most curious about was how this connection would manifest.

Would it be like Whispers of Humanity, through system missions?

These special items were all rare and precious.

Xiao Xue alone had given him a substantial increase in Charm Value.

Come to think of it, he had obtained the other Whispers of Humanity a long time ago, but it had never triggered. That was pretty frustrating.

Just then, Gao Mengting suddenly coughed lightly and said irritably, "President Tang, it's work hours. Isn't it a little inappropriate for you to stare at a female employee like that?"

Tang Song quickly came to his senses, only to find Cheng Qiuqiu's face flushed red as she lowered her head, too afraid to look at him.

Tang Song smiled. Turning his gaze toward his partner, he said, "Then I'll look at beautiful President Gao instead."

Since Gao Mengting would also be appearing on the live stream today, she had deliberately worn a black-and-white plaid strapless dress. It was simple yet elegant, and she radiated a soft, fashionable charm.

Sitting beside the "cold and aloof big sister" Qiu Qiu, she created a striking contrast.

It made Tang Song's heart beat a little faster.

Unable to resist, he stepped forward and rubbed his partner's head, messing up her neat hair.

Gao Mengting raised her hand as if to hit him, giving him an expression that said, "Just you wait."

The two quietly horsed around for a moment.

The surrounding staff all looked away, pretending to work diligently.

A trace of envy and loneliness flashed through Cheng Qiuqiu's eyes.

Cultivating: 16% (Not Germinated)

After noticing this unusual reaction, a strange look flashed through Tang Song's eyes.

But this was a live stream room after all, so he did not continue fooling around with Gao Mengting. After saying goodbye, he turned and left.

Back in the President's Office, he turned on his computer, put on his earphones, and entered the Qingning Technology Live Stream Room.

On September 15, 2023, Qingning Technology officially released Lime3.0.

According to Liu Qingning, this was destined to be a launch event that changed the global AI landscape, and it would also have a dramatic impact on society.

Although Qingning Technology was already well-known within certain circles, it still lagged behind the top major companies.

But today's launch event would make this company's name truly shake the domestic and international Internet.

Tang Song was filled with anticipation.

This should be the first time he would personally witness the meteoric rise of one of his own game companies.

"Ding dong—" A WeChat notification sound rang through his earphones.

Two new messages popped up on the computer screen.

Shen Yuyan: Photo.jpg

Shen Yuyan: "Hehe, just a little thing to share~ I was just selected for the candidate list of the Yan Zhao Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program! This is a photo taken at Yancheng Television Station the day before yesterday. What do you think? I hope I still have a bit of that campus beauty vibe from back then, haha."

Tang Song raised his eyebrows and opened the photo.

It was an artistic portrait.

A fashionable, sexy dark gray spaghetti-strap dress, glossy black hair, and exquisite makeup.

Together, they made her look gentle, poised, and exceptionally beautiful.

She still carried the shadow of that refined campus beauty from back then, only now she was more mature and sexy.

Guessing the little thoughts of this former campus beauty, Tang Song's lips curved upward as he typed a reply. "You look even prettier than you did back then."

"Buzz, buzz, buzz." Shen Yuyan: "(#Covering Mouth Laughing) President Tang, you really know how to talk. You're making me embarrassed~ By the way, a friendly reminder: Qingning Technology's launch event is about to begin. I heard this one is going to be huge, so check it out if you have time."

Youjie Home Services, General Manager's Office.

Shen Yuyan looked at Tang Song's reply, complicated emotions flickering in her eyes.

Before Xu Qing got together with him, she hadn't felt such a heavy psychological burden. Back then, she had only hesitated and wavered.

But now, Xu Qing had confirmed her relationship with him and had even met his parents.

Trying to seduce her best friend's boyfriend again was simply too shameful for her.

Even though she knew there were other women around him, the guilt in her heart was still agonizing.

To her, Xu Qing was family.

She and Xu Qing had known each other since middle school. They watched anime together, studied together, got into the same high school, and had been nearly inseparable for over a decade through university.

Even if she had a boyfriend in the future, he would not be more important than Xu Qing.

What she feared most was that Tang Song would eventually cause a rift in her relationship with Xu Qing.

After all, she had seen plenty of friendships fall apart over love.

What she said last night while drunk had really been a test.

Tang Song had left too great an impression on her. She truly found herself losing control.

Lately, every night when she closed her eyes, all she saw was him.

Shen Yuyan sighed, rubbed her brow, and turned her attention to the monitor in front of her as she waited for the press conference to begin.

She had deliberately asked Xu Qing to invite Tang Song to North City Garden tonight because she wanted to use Qingning Technology's press conference as an excuse to have a proper talk with him.

Youjie Home Services was about to secure its major client, Xucheng Property. The second round of financing would arrive smoothly, and she was also about to enter the Yan Zhao Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program.

All of that could prove how outstanding she was.

Shen Yuyan was a proud person. She hoped to earn Tang Song's admiration.

Rather than compete with her best friend as a loser.

"Ding Dong—" A WeChat notification sounded.

Shen Yuyan picked up her phone and looked. Someone in her high school class group had tagged her.

She opened the Class 2, No. 1 High School group chat.

Cheng Ziwei: "@Shen Yuyan @Bai Menglin, you two haven't shown up in forever. Come witness Yingying's shining moment. She's so cool."

Cheng Ziwei: Video.video

Shen Yuyan's brows drew together slightly as she opened the video.

It was an interview video from a Guangdong Province media outlet, featuring Ji Yingying, the head of investor relations at Zhifang Medical.

The video was still playing, but Shen Yuyan's expression was becoming increasingly unpleasant.

Ever since middle school, with her looks, intelligence, and emotional intelligence, she had always been the most eye-catching one.

There had also been other outstanding girls in high school, but she had always overshadowed them.

Ji Yingying and Bai Menglin, for example.

Since they were in the top class at a key high school, everyone had been an excellent student.

Bai Menglin attended a Project 211 university for college, was admitted to the Chinese University of Hong Kong for graduate school, and currently worked at a financial company in Central.

Shen Yuyan followed her Little Red Book account, and Bai Menglin's life looked very exciting.

Ji Yingying, meanwhile, had gone straight to America for university. She had previously worked as a simultaneous interpreter in New York, then reportedly returned to China for work.

But Ji Yingying had been too busy with work and had never appeared in the group chat, so nobody really knew what she was doing.

Who would have expected her to suddenly be interviewed by a television station? In the video, she described her career development over the past two or three years.

Because of her simultaneous interpretation work, she had caught the attention of the chairman of Zhifang Medical, a domestic medical device company, and became his assistant, specifically handling overseas client coordination.

At the beginning of this year, Zhifang Medical went public on the A-share market, with a market capitalization approaching ten billion.

Because of her outstanding performance, Ji Yingying became head of the company's Investor Relations Department—a twenty-six-year-old female executive at a listed company with an Annual Salary of One Million.

That was no small achievement. Combined with her good looks, she had clearly been positioned as a promotional highlight for Zhifang Medical.

This interview also had an advertising nature to it.

The discussion in the high school group chat was more heated than ever.

"I just saw the original video on Douyin. It already has over a hundred thousand likes! Yingying is amazing. She's about to become famous!"

"My God, I just found out Yingying works at Zhifang Medical. I've bought their stock before. That's incredible!"

Watching her classmates praise her, Shen Yuyan's breathing gradually quickened, and her feelings became a complicated mess.

Her relationship with Ji Yingying, Bai Menglin, and the others was decent, but there had always been comparisons and competition among them.

Now, those people were gradually pulling ahead of her.

She closed the group chat, shut her eyes, and took a deep breath.

Gritted her teeth, she refocused on the livestream.

Ten in the morning.

Qingning Technology's press conference officially began.

The host was an internationally renowned technology journalist who hosted in two languages.

The opening video was dazzling, moving from the Big Bang to the AI revolution before finally settling on Qingning Technology's logo.

After a brief introduction, Qingning Technology CEO Ye Hanwen took the stage.

Shen Yuyan sat up straight and listened intently, holding a notebook beside her.

These were all topics she needed to discuss with Tang Song tonight. She had to know them by heart.

As the livestream continued, the expression on her face grew increasingly shocked.

Lime3.0: a multimodal general artificial intelligence Large Model covering multiple data types including text, images, video, voice, and 3D point clouds, supporting cross-modal reasoning and generation.

With over 1.87 trillion parameters, it was currently the world's largest general Large Model.

It supported over a hundred languages, ranked first globally in Chinese comprehension and generation capabilities, and first globally in inference speed.

It offered real-time image analysis and generation, supported super-resolution reconstruction, style transfer, and defect detection for fields such as autonomous driving and industrial quality inspection, and achieved 99.3% accuracy in point-cloud segmentation.

It provided multiple industry-leading pretrained models to empower every industry, allowing enterprises to call upon them directly.

In the consumer sector:

Qingning Technology launched the official version of Qingmi AI.

It supported multimodal input, generated personalized answers, and supported mixed interaction through voice, text, and images.

In the enterprise sector:

Because of her interests and ambitions, Shen Yuyan had a deep understanding of the AI industry. Naturally, she knew exactly what these figures meant.

Every aspect of Lime3.0 outperformed GPT-4, which had been released in March this year.

And it brought a richer ecosystem and more applications.

More important, its training costs were low, and its service fees were far below those of OpenAI.

This was an era-defining press conference. Especially for China, it was absolutely an earthquake.

Sure enough, as the press conference continued.

Messages began popping up one after another on Shen Yuyan's phone.

Push notifications from major Apps, all kinds of investment groups, startup groups, and social groups—the press conference was spreading at an astonishing speed.

Looking at the fiery discussions in the group chats, Shen Yuyan, as an entrepreneur, felt boundless anticipation and ambition surge within her.

For the rest of the day.

She remained in an excited state, learning more about Lime3.0 through every possible channel.

And looking forward to talking with Tang Song that night.

Six forty in the evening.

The Bentley Continental parked in the outdoor lot outside North City Garden.

Tang Song got out and walked along the sidewalk for a while.

Just as he approached the pillar by the Main Door, his gaze swiftly caught a figure peeking around furtively.

The corner of Tang Song's mouth lifted slightly. Pretending not to notice, he continued forward.

Once he was close enough, he suddenly hopped half a step forward and deliberately let out a deep, exaggerated shout. "Ah!"

Xu Qing, hiding behind the pillar, was caught completely off guard. Her Whole body trembled as she let out a piercing scream, clasped her head in both hands, and crouched down.

"Y-you scared me to death!" She Looked up, widened her eyes, and glared furiously at Tang Song.

Tang Song could not help bursting into laughter. "Haha, who told you, you idiot, to hide so badly? You kept peeking at me."

"You're the idiot! Idiot Tang Song! Idiot Tang Song!"

Then came Xu Qing's embarrassed, angry shoves.

Laughing and playing, the two made their way to Building 4 and took the elevator directly to the twelfth floor.

They opened the door.

"Yan Yan, I'm back!" Xu Qing shouted into the apartment, then handed Tang Song the men's Slippers she had prepared for him.

After changing shoes, he walked into the Living Room.

Tang Song immediately spotted School Beauty Shen sitting on the sofa.

A white undershirt paired with black skinny pants was simple yet elegant, perfectly outlining her delicate, curvaceous figure.

Her long, glossy black hair draped over her shoulders, while a fresh, lazy air lingered between her brows and eyes.

"Good evening, Tang Song." Shen Yuyan rose to her feet and looked at him with Eyes curved in a smile, her voice gentle and clear. "Qing Qing and I were both quite busy today, so I packed the food from a restaurant. I hope you won't mind."

Xu Qing pouted. "Yan Yan, don't pay attention to him. He scared me just now!"

Then Xu Qing tattled to her best friend about what had just happened.

Shen Yuyan blinked at Tang Song, suddenly stepped half a pace forward, and gently pinched his cheek. "Hmph. That's for bullying our Qing Qing."

Her delicate, warm fingers carried a faint fragrance, along with Barely perceptible intimacy.

They lightly stirred Tang Song's heartstrings.

Xu Qing clearly did not notice the little game between them. Instead, she proudly hugged her best friend's arm.

She said affectionately, "Yan Yan is still the best. Mua~"

Tang Song raised a brow and directly reached out with both hands, pinching each best friend's cheek at the same time.

The two different sensations brought entirely different experiences. It felt incredibly satisfying.

Xu Qing put on a fierce expression. "This is our territory. Be careful, or we'll beat you up!"

Tang Song smiled. "Sure. Both of you, come at me. Let's see who ends up lying down first."

"Yan Yan, get him!"

An unnatural look appeared on Shen Yuyan's face. She brushed back the long hair at her Temples. "Sit down already. The food's getting cold."

Dinner was very lavish.

Braised pork ribs, broccoli with garlic, steamed sea bass, and a platter of braised meats.

After the three sat down, the atmosphere gradually relaxed amid Xu Qing's laughter.

Shen Yuyan did not immediately talk to Tang Song about Qingning Technology's press conference. Instead, she took the initiative to bring up their university days.

They talked about shared memories and friends.

Whenever the conversation became especially lively, she would open her phone's photo album and dig out pictures they had taken before.

Her university years should have been her most glorious period.

President of the student union at the School of Economics and Management, the university's top beauty, participant in all kinds of performances and competitions.

In fact, after short-video platforms exploded in popularity.

She had deliberately marketed herself under the title of "Yancheng Campus Beauty" in order to build her account.

The results had been very noticeable.

By the time she graduated in 2020, her personal account had already accumulated more than six hundred thousand followers.

Her original choice to become an HR employee at a Fortune 500 foreign company had also been to build connections and seek suitable entrepreneurial opportunities.

Zhang Tianqi had taken notice of this very quality, which was why he ultimately chose to found Youjie Home Services with her.

She had also contributed her own account, investing it as non-monetary property and making it an important promotional and customer acquisition channel for Youjie Home Services.

Otherwise, given her circumstances back then, she simply could not have afforded a 49% stake.

So when it came to entrepreneurship, she had not taken much advantage of Zhang Tianqi. At most, it had been mutually beneficial.

The night outside the window deepened, while the lights inside were warm and soft.

A little after eight in the evening, dinner ended.

Xu Qing and Shen Yuyan went into the kitchen together to clean up the dishes and prepare a Fruit Platter.

Tang Song sat on the sofa, watching the variety show on television with great interest.

A faint fragrance drifted into his nose, mingling with the fruity scent.

Shen Yuyan placed an exquisite Fruit Platter before him and casually handed him a toothpick.

"Thank you." Tang Song took the toothpick and could not help looking at her again.

He had to admit, this university beauty really had it going on.

Her cup size looked close to a D—on par with Qiu Qiu's.

Noticing Tang Song's gaze, Shen Yuyan turned slightly to the side and picked up a grape between her fingers, placing it by Tang Song's Lips.

"This one's super sweet. Try it."

Tang Song Nodded lightly and opened his mouth.

The grape rolled into his mouth. He bit into it lightly, and sweet juice flowed over his lips and teeth.

"It really is delicious." Tang Song's tone was calm and gentle.

Shen Yuyan bit her Lips, her gaze Flashed slightly, then she revealed a bright smile. "You watched Qingning Technology's press conference today, right?"

"Mm, Of course. The entire internet is discussing it now."

Shen Yuyan shifted closer to Tang Song, leaning forward with a light, confident tone. "The launch of Lime3.0 gives entrepreneurs multiple opportunities: accessible technology, lower costs, business model innovation, and more. Even the home services industry can integrate it, greatly reducing costs—"

Because she had prepared her lines in advance, her voice was clear and smooth, highly persuasive.

Just then.

"Ding ring ring—" The Mobile Phone Ringtone abruptly Sounded, cutting her off.

Tang Song Took out his Mobile Phone and glanced at it, a faint smile appearing on his face. "I'll take this call."

With that, he rose directly and Walked towards the balcony.

Standing on the balcony, Tang Song pressed the answer button. "Hello? Qing Ning."

The familiar voice came through the receiver, carrying a trace of weariness and tenderness. "Little Song, what are you doing right now?"

"Having dinner and chatting at a friend's place. We were just talking about Qingning Technology's product launch. You worked hard today."

"I've finally finished up over here. While I was organizing my belongings just now, I remembered when I went to Yancheng to see you in college.

"The Ginkgo Leaf Bookmark you made for me—do you still remember it?"

"Of course I remember." A nostalgic look flashed through Tang Song's eyes.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2016, at around this time, White Moonlight had suddenly come all the way from the Imperial Capital to Yancheng to see him.

Back then, on a street outside Yan City University of Science and Technology, he had picked up a particularly beautiful Ginkgo Leaf. Later, he had made it into a bookmark and given it to Liu Qingning.

"I can't find that bookmark. Don't know when I lost it." Liu Qingning's voice sounded aggrieved,

as if she were about to cry.

Tang Song hurriedly comforted her. "It's okay. I'll make you another one."

"You said it!" Liu Qingning's tone instantly became lively as she urged him in a childlike, coquettish voice, "I want you to go to that street by the University of Science and Technology right now, find me the prettiest Ginkgo Leaf, and take a picture so I can see it!"

"Uh... now?"

"Now! I suddenly miss it so, so much. If I don't get to see it, I definitely won't be able to sleep tonight." Liu Qingning's tone was firm and willful.

Tang Song sighed, though an indulgent smile still lingered at the corner of his mouth. "All right, I'll head over now and send you a photo later."

North City Garden was in Yuhua District, only about three kilometers from the University of Science and Technology. It was not far.

"Mm-hm. Thank you, Little Song. Sorry to trouble you."

Hung up the phone, Tang Song turned and returned to the Living Room.

Shen Yuyan asked with a smile, "Finished? Let's continue."

Tang Song gave an "Mm" and said, "I need to go out for something. We'll talk when I get back."

The smile on Shen Yuyan's face stiffened slightly, but she quickly returned to normal. Only a barely noticeable flash of disappointment passed through her eyes. "Sure. Go take care of it."

Tang Song put on his coat and called out to Xu Qing, who was busy in the kitchen, "Qing Qing, I'm leaving for a bit. I'll come back later."

Wearing rubber gloves, Xu Qing waved as she scrubbed the dishes. "Got it. Drive carefully."

"Bye bye." Tang Song said goodbye to Shen Yuyan as well, then turned and walked outside.

Looking at his back disappearing through the door, the smile on Shen Yuyan's face gradually faded, replaced by a complicated emotion.

A sudden sense of foreboding rose in her heart.

The night was ink-black, the cold moon hung high, and stars glittered faintly.

The Glacier White Bentley Continental glimmered with a pale silver sheen beneath the streetlights, like a streak of flowing moonlight weaving through Yancheng's quiet streets.

Its tires rolled over the pavement with a soft rustling sound, blending into the chill of the night.

About ten minutes later, Yan City University of Science and Technology gradually came into view.

After making two turns, Tang Song parked at an intersection and looked ahead.

The familiar street remained much as it had always been. Silver Poplar Trees on both sides swayed gently in the breeze.

A few young men and women who looked like students walked past him hand in hand, chatting and laughing.

The air was filled with the distinctive scent of early autumn, mingled with the fragrance of earth and fallen leaves.

Tang Song's thoughts seemed to return to the days when he and Liu Qingning had walked here together.

After locking the car, Tang Song stepped onto the street.

With his gaze lowered, he carefully examined the Ginkgo Leaves at his feet.

Searching for a suitable one.

He had only taken a few steps forward.

"Tap, tap tap—"

Light footsteps suddenly sounded from ahead.

In the corner of Tang Song's vision, a figure slowly emerged from behind a tree.

She tilted her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips, her gaze fixed directly on him.

Tang Song abruptly stopped. He raised his head to look at the girl in front of him and stood frozen in place.

Light spilled over her body, refracting into mottled halos that blurred the scenery around them—and his thoughts as well.

Golden Ginkgo Leaves drifted down in the wind, circling around her.

One happened to land on her chest.

Seeing Tang Song's blank look,

Liu Qingning casually pinched it between her fingers and tossed it at him. "Hey, what are you staring at? Idiot."