Autumn Night in a Drunken State

Yellowing ginkgo leaves fluttered and swayed before finally falling at Tang Song's feet.

White Moonlight's voice still echoed by his ear, real and warm.

It finally confirmed for him that this was not his own illusion.

Thump, thump, thump. His heartbeat pounded violently in his chest, like drums battering Tang Song's eardrums.

To his youth, Liu Qingning had been its most vivid symbol and representative.

They had lain on the Sports Field beneath the sun, talking about their beautiful future.

They had hidden beneath the eaves, watching rain fall from the sky as they talked about amusing things around them. They had sat in the classroom with their arms pressed together, exchanging ideas on how to solve problems.

She had been the brightest color of those years, the softest part of his heart, and the White Moonlight he had chased countless times in his dreams but could never reach.

At this moment, she seemed to have stepped out from the depths of his memories.

Her clean, fair cheeks, gentle flowing ponytail, and clear, water-like eyes—everything overlapped with the girl from his memories, as if time had never left a trace on her.

Seeing that Tang Song still said nothing and only looked at her,

Liu Qingning shyly raised a hand to tuck the loose strands behind her ear. Her wrist bone glowed like white porcelain in the night.

Then she extended her right foot and took a large step toward him.

Tap, tap. The distance between them was less than half a meter.

The warm Streetlight above cast its glow over them.

Liu Qingning looked up at him.

Then she suddenly smiled, her lashes fluttering and casting fine shadows over her cheeks.

They were like two little brushes, teasing Tang Song's stirred heart again and again.

The Evening Breeze gently blew from behind her, carrying her scent into his nose.

Tang Song lowered his head and studied her slightly baby-fat Oval Face. His eyes gradually grew moist.

He opened his mouth, only to find his throat so dry that he could not speak.

Liu Qingning reached out and pinched his high nose bridge, her tone carrying a hint of mischief. "Tang Song, if you don't say anything, I'm going to disappear."

The moment her words fell, she was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace.

His scorching breath brushed against her ear, instantly making her heart race.

Liu Qingning's body stiffened for a moment before gradually relaxing. She wrapped her arms around his strong waist and back, gently closing her eyes.

Feeling the warmth of White Moonlight and breathing in her familiar scent, Tang Song's heart gradually calmed.

"Why did you suddenly come over? You just finished the launch event today. You should be getting some proper rest."

"Yeah." Liu Qingning's voice was soft, as if she feared breaking this rare tranquility. "That's why I came to Yancheng. I'm resting and vacationing here. Am I not welcome?"

"Of course you are. I've always wanted to show you my home in Yancheng." The moment Tang Song said that, his shoulder was suddenly bitten.

Liu Qingning released her bite, emotion in her voice. "I don't want to see it."

One important reason she had never dared come over was that she was afraid of seeing the traces of Wen Ruan and Tang Song's life together.

Their clothes, shoes, skincare products—those everyday details would remind her that he was no longer the Tang Song who belonged only to her.

She had hurried over this time because she knew Wen Ruan would be staying in Shencheng for two or three days.

That meant she could spend this time alone with Tang Song and have a proper talk with him.

Hearing Liu Qingning's words, the guilt Tang Song had buried deep in his heart surged up again. "I'm sorry."

"If saying sorry worked, what would we need the police for? You scumbag!" Liu Qingning opened her cherry-red mouth

and bit down hard on his neck.

"Hiss—" Tang Song cried out softly, his arms around her tightening slightly.

The reason he felt so conflicted when facing White Moonlight was because of his guilt.

Liu Qingning had given so much for him, and she had even been planning to buy a house in Yancheng.

For Tang Song, who had liked her for so many years, the impact was beyond words.

If he had known all this before April, there probably would not have been the Beautician, Big Sister, Fake Socialite—those women afterward.

"Alright." Liu Qingning pushed against his chest. "Let me go. There are people coming and going here."

Tang Song released his arms and straightened up. Looking at her fresh, adorable face, he could not help lowering his head to kiss her Cheekbones.

Soft and delicate, bouncy as QQ jelly, with the scent of skincare products lingering on them.

Liu Qingning's large, watery eyes widened slightly. Under the dim yellow Streetlight, a blush visibly rose across her face.

The skin barrier on her face was rather thin, so whenever it was cold or she was embarrassed, her cheeks would turn rosy and especially adorable.

"Who said you could kiss me?"

She pretended to be angry as she poked his chest with her finger.

The corner of Tang Song's mouth curved upwards as he lowered his head again.

Smack~~ The sound was especially clear in the quiet night.

Liu Qingning's face grew even redder, like a ripe apple.

She lightly punched his chest, her voice filled with coy annoyance. "Hey, don't go too far! If you keep this up, I'm really going to get mad!"

Tang Song lowered his head again. Smack~~ Smack~~

Liu Qingning swayed from side to side, but because she was so petite, she could not escape his range of attack no matter what.

In a fit of embarrassed anger, she simply unleashed her ultimate move and reached out to tickle Tang Song.

"Hmph! Let's see how I deal with you!" Liu Qingning threatened as she precisely found the spot at his waist where he was most ticklish and scratched hard.

"Ow, stop! I surrender! Isn't it enough that I admit I was wrong?"

"I order you not to move!"

"Spare me! Stop tickling me, it's so itchy! So itchy! I was wrong, I was wrong!"

Tang Song backed away while shielding his vulnerable spots with both hands, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

But Liu Qingning refused to let up, pressing forward step by step. "No! You bullied me so much just now, and now you think we can just forget about it? No way!"

Tang Song had been afraid of being tickled since childhood. His sides, armpits, and neck were all weak points.

Although their relationship had always been good, they had not lacked frictions and arguments.

For example, when Tang Song played games or chatted with other girls, or skipped class to go to an internet café off campus.

Whenever he made Liu Qingning angry, she would pounce on him like an enraged kitten and tickle him everywhere.

It was one of their little games.

It was precisely that colorful, tumultuous youth that had been firmly etched in his memory, remaining unforgettable even now.

Liu Qingning was probably the same.

Tang Song hurriedly dodged, and the two began chasing and playing beneath the Streetlight.

Ginkgo leaves danced with their footsteps, with the occasional few drifting down onto their shoulders or hair.

Quite a few passing students looked toward the two chasing each other beneath the Streetlight, each wearing a different expression.

Some girls looked at the Handsome Hunk being "bullied" and could not help feeling an intense urge to protect him.

The boys, meanwhile, looked enviously at Tang Song and the Youthful Appearance and Immense Cuteness beside him.

After quite a while,

the two finally slowed to a stop once Liu Qingning was panting for breath.

"Alright, alright. If you tickle me again, I'm really going to kick the bucket!"

Liu Qingning tilted her head up to glare at him and threatened, "But if you dare kiss me without permission again, be careful or I'll tie you up and tickle you!"

The two bickered for a few more moments.

Tang Song put Liu Qingning's suitcase into the trunk of the Bentley Continental, then took her hand and strolled down the street, beginning to search for ginkgo leaves.

Although the atmosphere had returned to calm, an indescribable tacit understanding had formed between them.

Whenever their gazes met, they could feel the warmth in each other's eyes.

It was a wonderful feeling that left Tang Song in high spirits.

"How about this one?"

"No, the color isn't bright enough."

"What about this?"

"The stem is broken."

As the night deepened, the lights along the street became increasingly dim and yellow.

Liu Qingning suddenly stopped and pointed upward, her eyes sparkling. "That one is very pretty, but it's too high. Can you reach it?"

Tang Song looked in the direction she pointed.

Its shape was beautiful, its veins clear and distinct—nearly perfect.

"Wait for me. I'll get it for you right away!" Tang Song confidently flashed an OK sign, took a few steps back, and planted his feet firmly.

Taking a deep breath, he locked his gaze on the target, then suddenly sprinted forward with a burst of force. The instant he neared the trunk,

he seized the opportunity and leaped into the air.

With his arm fully extended, he precisely grabbed the stem of that ginkgo leaf.

His movement was clean and swift. He landed with barely a sound, displaying exceptional jumping ability.

After all, he was a cheat. After being enhanced by so many system items, dunking was no problem for him now.

Looking at the spoils in his hand, Tang Song wore a proud smile as he turned and held it out to Liu Qingning. "How is it?"

Liu Qingning gently accepted the ginkgo leaf, and her eyes instantly curved into crescents. She looked up at him. "Little Song, you're amazing!"

After saying that, she suddenly rose On tiptoe and pressed her rosy, full cherry lips to his chin.

Light, ticklish, soft, and numb.

Like an electric current, the sensation instantly spread through his body, making Tang Song's heart skip a beat.

White Moonlight's praise and her initiative in kissing him gave him a unique sense of fulfillment.

Perhaps it was because the longing of his youth had finally been satisfied.

He was making up for his regrets now.

"Let's go! Silly Little Song, let's go take a look at your Alma Mater." Liu Qingning snapped her fingers and strode forward with her hands behind her back.

Her steps were light and playful, making the entire night come alive because of her.

The lights stretched her shadow long, intertwining it with the tall Silver Poplar Trees by the roadside to form a moving picture.

Tang Song smiled and jogged after her, suddenly embracing her from behind.

"Ah—what are you doing?!"

Amid Liu Qingning's cry of surprise, he kissed her lips.

Time seemed to stop. All sounds around them were shut out, leaving only the echoes of their heartbeats in the night.

Liu Qingning's body stiffened for an instant before gradually relaxing. She closed her eyes.

Savoring White Moonlight's shy, gentle lips and breathing in her familiar scent, Tang Song's heart had never felt so settled.

Beicheng Garden Residential Area.

"This watermelon is so sweet! Yan Yan, have some too. Why are you spacing out?"

"Oh." Shen Yuyan's unfocused gaze returned to focus. She casually picked up a slice of watermelon and began chewing.

Cool, bright-red juice flowed through her mouth, but she could not taste it at all.

Glancing at her Best Friend beside her, who was absorbed in a variety show, Shen Yuyan asked, "Tang Song left an hour ago. Why isn't he back yet?"

Xu Qing shook her head. "Don't know. You saw it too—he didn't reply to any of my messages. Maybe he's busy. You know, with a net worth like his, he has a lot of things to deal with."

Shen Yuyan pressed her Lips together and said quietly, "Do you think it's possible that he went to see another woman?"

Although she had not heard Tang Song's phone call earlier, she had been secretly observing him the entire time.

She could tell a lot from his tone and expression.

She had also guessed that the other party was a girl, and a girl Tang Song liked very much.

She just had not explicitly said it because she was afraid her Best Friend would feel upset.

"Ah—" Xu Qing froze, then put on a fierce expression. "We agreed already. If he dares stand me up, I—I'll punish you!"

She wanted to say something harsh, but unfortunately, she could not think of anything intimidating.

Shen Yuyan softly reminded her, "How about you Make a phone call to him?"

She had prepared for tonight for a long time. She had wanted to have a good chat with him and get a little closer in the process.

"Th-this isn't very good, is it?" Xu Qing immediately chickened out. "What if he gets angry?"

The corner of Shen Yuyan's mouth Twitched. She should never have expected anything from this cowardly Best Friend.

She was all talk, but when it came down to business, she always dropped the ball.

Helplessly, she said, "At this rate, you should just obediently be a little maid."

Seeing the contempt in her Best Friend's eyes, Xu Qing could not help blushing.

Given their relationship, Xu Qing had long told Shen Yuyan everything about her first time with Tang Song.

Even the positions and sensations had been described clearly.

And as a novelist, Xu Qing had described everything with particular delicacy.

Then Xu Qing's dark eyes rolled around mischievously as she joked, "I can call him, but if I really get spanked, then let Tang Song spank you instead! Your butt has more meat than mine anyway!"

As she spoke, she reached over and patted Shen Yuyan's perky butt.

As the universally recognized campus beauty, Shen Yuyan's figure was flawless, with curves in all the right places.

Shen Yuyan bit her red lip and suddenly nodded. "Sure, that works too."

"(◎o○)" Xu Qing blinked her big eyes in surprise. "You'd be this nice? Don't tell me there's some condition?"

Shen Yuyan smiled. "We've been Best Friends for over ten years. Seeing you suffer would hurt me too, so I want to help share the burden."

Suspicion appeared on Xu Qing's face as she was about to say something,

when ding-dong— the WeChat Notification Sound rang.

She quickly Picked up her phone and looked at it.

Tang Song: "(#Hug) Sorry, Qing Qing. Something came up tonight, so I can't make it over."

Shen Yuyan's heart suddenly felt empty, and the smile on her face vanished completely.

"Ah! He really stood me up! Damn Tang Song!" Xu Qing pouted resentfully. "Hmph, we won't let him come to our place anymore. Damn him, damn him!"

They had agreed to Eat a meal, watch TV, and sleep together tonight. And today was the most beautiful Friday.

Then he suddenly disappeared and took so long to reply on WeChat. He must have gone to keep some other woman company!

Where was that supposed to leave Miss Xu Qing's dignity?

Xu Qing held her phone, just about to send back a few vicious replies.

Her phone buzzed again.

Tang Song: "WeChat transfer 100000.00, please accept."

Tang Song: "Sorry, this really came up suddenly. I'll be very busy over the weekend too, so I won't be able to keep you company. Go shopping with your Best Friend and buy more things."

!!!

Xu Qing's face practically pressed against the screen as she stared with wide, dark eyes. "One, ten, a hundred, a thousand..."

"Ten thousand!"

"One hundred thousand!"

"Ahhh! We're rich! Yan Yan, we're rich!"

A piercing scream rang out in the quiet Living Room.

Xu Qing's eyes sparkled as she opened the Chat Box and typed: "Okay, Master! Don't tire yourself out too much, make sure you rest. If you need any help, just call me. Good night, mwah~"

After sending the message, she tapped accept.

Xu Qing spread her arms and hugged her Best Friend. Like a husky, she kept rubbing, nuzzling, and kneading against her.

Shen Yuyan quickly slapped away her mischievous hands and said irritably, "Can you calm down? Look at how little self-control you have. He already gave you a DB11 before. Do you really need to get this excited?"

"It's different, okay? This is real cash! I can buy so many things with it." Xu Qing cocked her mouth to one side and put her hands on her hips. "Come shopping with me tomorrow. My tablet is lagging like crazy, so I have to replace it! And clothes—we should browse some luxury stores. I always feel like my current outfits don't match my sports car! Hahaha!"

"Not going. I'm not in the mood for that."

Shen Yuyan Shook head, got up, and went to the kitchen, where she took a bottle of cocktail from the refrigerator.

Returning to the sofa, she began drinking by herself, her heart especially bitter.

Xu Qing shook her body and wheedled, "We can spend this money together. Just come with me! It's no fun going alone."

"Tang Song gave that money to you. What would it mean for me to spend it?"

Xu Qing pouted. "You're still keeping score with me? Didn't you always say that once your business succeeded and you had financial freedom, we'd spend your money together? Now that I have money, of course I want to spend it with you. What's the point otherwise?"

She had once been a standard member of the "hoping her Best Friend would become a phoenix" crowd, loafing around every day and waiting for her Good Best Friend to pull her up someday.

Now that her own life had improved, she naturally wanted to help her Best Friend too.

Shen Yuyan lightly pressed her Lips together and lowered her head slightly, a touch of emotion flashing through her eyes.

"Come on, Yan Yan." Xu Qing Pushed her body and pleaded, "You haven't gone shopping with me for Several months."

Shen Yuyan Turned around and suddenly asked, "Qing Qing, have you ever thought about your future with Tang Song?"

Xu Qing froze, her gaze turning flustered. "I-I'm not in a hurry, and I haven't thought that far ahead."

There had actually been many reasons why she and Tang Song had progressed to the point of sleeping together.

The most important one was that she always couldn't help mixing Tang Song with the plot of the novel and inserting herself into it.

Right now, she was more interested in enjoying the process of being in love. Every so often, she could even watch scenes from the novel play out in real life.

She had never considered how far things with Tang Song might develop in the future.

"You should know that you aren't his only Girlfriend." Shen Yuyan exhaled softly. "Wen Ruan, Lin Mu Xue, Xiao Jing—which one will he marry in the end? Will it be you?"

"I Don't know." Xu Qing bit her Lips and shrank her neck back, then muttered, "Marriage isn't that big a deal anyway. Isn't things being like this pretty good already? Every day, we can be happy, eat and drink, and take the sports car out for a drive now and then."

In truth, she knew that among those women, she had the least competitive edge.

Wen Ruan was the Executive Director and president of Light and Shadow Media, and she also had a pair of enormous E-cups that charged forward without fear.

Lin Mu Xue was his assistant and outstanding in All aspects.

As for Xiao Jing, there was even less need to mention her. She was the textbook rich, beautiful heiress.

She only dared to torment them beyond recognition in the novel. In real life, she wouldn't even dare make a sound when facing any one of them.

Shen Yuyan said gently, "I'm already twenty-five this year. In the future, I'll find a Boyfriend and get married too. By then, I'll have my own family, and we'll be apart. Maybe I'll even marry somewhere else, and we'll only see each other a few times a year."

"No! I don't want to be apart from you!" Xu Qing shook her head forcefully and hugged Shen Yuyan.

Shen Yuyan Pat Pat her head. "That's impossible. Sooner or later, we'll each have our own lives, unless—"

Xu Qing's ears Moved. She raised her head and asked, "Unless what?"

"Unless..." Shen Yuyan slowly Approached her Cheeks.

Four inches, two inches—their noses gradually pressed together.

Xu Qing went cross-eyed and asked curiously, "What are you doing? Why did you stop talking?"

Shen Yuyan Smiled and tilted her head slightly. "Unless we have the same husband."

Xu Qing's face flushed red as she stared at her in shock. "H-how can that be possible?"

Eyes met, and Shen Yuyan Smiled as she kissed her on the face. "All right, I was just teasing you. Look how Startled you got. Haha."

"Ah! You terrible Scheming Yan! Knew it, you were messing with me again!" Xu Qing pounced on her and began wrestling with her Best Friend.

Amid their Laughing and playing, Shen Yuyan's gaze grew somewhat unfocused as images of Tang Song kept flashing through her mind.

Don't know who was by his side now.

"BGM: You loved too much, yet you promised me a honey-flavored life, with a little cream added. I stirred in my shyness."

Liu Qingning's pleasant singing drifted through the quiet car.

Tang Song lightly tapped his fingers against the steering wheel as he listened quietly, a faint smile on his lips.

Bright headlights swept across the street as the Bentley Continental slowly drove into the Underground Parking Lot of Yanjing Sky City.

After he parked in a space.

Only after the car came to a steady stop in the parking space did Liu Qingning belatedly react. She frowned and asked, "Didn't you say we were going to a hotel? You lied to me."

Tang Song unfastened his seat belt, turned to her, and Smiled. "I'm the only one living at home."

"Really?" Liu Qingning looked at him suspiciously. "What about Wen Ruan?"

"She has her own place in Qiao Xi District. We don't usually live together."

A complicated expression flashed across Liu Qingning's face. "If I find out you lied to me, you're finished."

She had seen Wen Ruan with her own eyes and knew she was an extremely charming woman with an absurdly good figure. With the two of them both in Yancheng, could Tang Song, that lecher, really have such self-restraint?

"Come on. Seeing is believing." Tang Song Pat Pat her head, Pushed open the car door, and got out.

He took the suitcase from the trunk, led Liu Qingning into the residential lobby, and took the elevator directly to the twentieth floor.

As the armored door slowly opened, an air of luxury came Assaulting the senses.

Curiosity shone in Liu Qingning's eyes as she began examining her surroundings.

It would have been impossible for her not to be curious about where Tang Song lived.

The decor was extremely High-end, even more refined and luxurious than the mansion Su Yu owned at Shenzhen Bay No. 1 where she had stayed.

"This is the dining room. Over here is the Chinese-and-Western dual kitchen. This is the study..."

Along the way, Tang Song thoughtfully introduced the layout of each room before finally Pushed open the Main Door to the master bedroom.

Seeing that there really were none of the traces she had imagined inside, Liu Qingning's anxious heart gradually settled. A delighted smile appeared on her face as she began immersing herself in Tang Song's home.

She Pat Pat here, looked there, sat here, lay there, and had a wonderful time.

"How is it?" Tang Song handed her a cup of warm water.

Liu Qingning reached out to take it and took a small sip. "Very good. Even better than I imagined."

Tang Song Nodded and Smiled. "The bed here is super comfortable too. You can experience it properly later."

The moment she Heard that, Liu Qingning became alert. She crossed her arms over her chest and shrank back.

She warned, "We agreed on this! You have to give me time. Only after I fully understand who you are now, understand the people around you, and make my plans can I decide how to move forward..."

Back in Shencheng, Tang Song's sudden appearance and the series of shocks he brought had left her mind in chaos.

Under his persistent coaxing, she had agreed to some of his excessive demands.

Now that she had calmed down, she naturally would not allow him to act recklessly.

Tang Song stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her soft waist, his voice clear and firm. "I'm only going to hold you while we sleep. I promise I won't move around."

"Hmph. You think I'll believe you?" Liu Qingning's face showed contempt. "You have so many rooms here. I can sleep in whichever one I want."

"Then you can sleep in the master bedroom, and I'll sleep in the guest room."

"Fine, you said it." Liu Qingning raised an eyebrow, pushed Tang Song out of the master bedroom, locked the door, and dragged her suitcase into the Walk-in Closet.

She first looked over Tang Song's wide variety of High-end clothes, then opened her suitcase and began unpacking.

Afterward, she went to the Restroom. Seeing some women's toiletries inside, the expression on Liu Qingning's face Became complicated.

Gritted her teeth, she still forced down the pain in her heart.

Wen Ruan's compromise, and her willingness to become a mistress, had been profoundly shocking to Liu Qingning.

It was also one reason she had resolved to come to Yancheng.

After taking off her sweater and carefully Washing up, Liu Qingning changed into a base layer and pajama pants before returning to the bedroom.

Feeling the traces of Tang Song's life around her, a faint smile appeared on her face.

After all, he was one of The Most Important Thing in Life to her. Being able to see him and see that he was living well filled her heart with an indescribable joy and happiness.

Just then.

With a click, the lock turned and the bedroom door was gently Pushed open.

Wearing only a pair of shorts, Tang Song strolled in. "Thought for a moment. It's your first time here, so you must feel unfamiliar and scared. I should keep you company tonight."

Looking at his strong, attractive body, especially those smooth eight Abdominal Muscles.

Liu Qingning's face instantly turned red and hot. She glared at him in embarrassment and irritation. "Are you going to be shameless?"

Tang Song blinked and shamelessly Nodded. "Yes."

"You!" Liu Qingning's round eyes widened enormously, and her puffed-up appearance was adorable.

Noticing the dramatic rise and fall of her chest, Tang Song's gaze involuntarily lingered on her.

During his adolescence, Liu Qingning had been the most perfect object of fantasy imaginable.

She excelled at school, was adorable, had a good relationship with him, and most importantly, she had large breasts.

For him at that age, with hormones raging wildly, that physical attraction had been nearly impossible to resist.

Sensing his burning gaze.

Liu Qingning turned and lay facedown on the bed, wrapping herself tightly in the blanket. "I'm going to sleep!"

As she spoke, she reached out and switched off the main lights. The warm Mood Lighting automatically came on instead, adding a hint of intimacy to the room.

Tang Song gave a Light laugh and lay down beside her, hugging her through the blanket.

Liu Qingning glared at him fiercely but did not say anything else.

In the darkness, Tang Song looked at her familiar face from Close range.

He gently rested his forehead against hers. "Thank you for coming to see me."

Hearing his low, gentle voice, Liu Qingning's body gradually relaxed, and her taut nerves slowly eased.

She muttered softly, "I promised you so many times before, but I always broke my word..."

"It's okay." Tang Song interrupted softly, his fingers gently stroking her Hair Strands. "I know you're busy, and I know you've always been thinking about me. I love you, Qing Ning."

Liu Qingning buried her burning Cheeks in the blanket. "It's already late. Go to sleep early. Tomorrow, you're taking me out to have fun, eat delicious food, watch a movie, and visit some scenic spots."

"Mm." Tang Song answered. "Whatever you want to do is fine."

The room gradually settled into warmth and silence, with only their soft breaths intertwined.

Outside the window, the night was thick as ink.

Don't know how much time passed.

"Good night," Tang Song whispered into her ear.

"Good night." Liu Qingning's voice carried a trace of laziness, as though she was already about to drift into sleep.

Tang Song gently lifted the blanket and carefully slipped inside.

He held her hot, soft, undulating body.

Liu Qingning's body Moved, but she did not push him away. Instead, she merely curled deeper into his arms, finding a more comfortable position.

Tang Song took a deep breath, feeling the warmth and scent of his White Moonlight. His gaze was soft and intoxicated.

She was real, whole, and without regret—the youth of his life.