Chapter 42: 95 Full Tank

6:00 PM.

Outside the window, the rain continued to drizzle incessantly.

This day-long rain had made the entire city feel damp and sluggish.

Just as Tang Song was about to close his laptop and finish work, a notification suddenly popped up in his corporate email.

[OA Reminder: "Your leave application for April 24, 2023, has not been approved. Please modify and resubmit for review."]

Tang Song raised an eyebrow; this was truly a first.

He opened the OA website, entered the leave module, and checked the review information.

[Reviewer: Chen Yunteng; Result: Rejected; Comments: Reason for leave is insufficiently clear.]

Tang Song's reason for leave was the standard template used by most employees: "Family matters, taking one day of annual leave."

Jinxiu Trading was quite lenient regarding leave management; they rarely blocked employees for such reasons.

This Director Chen was clearly targeting him.

As for the reason, it was naturally inseparable from the matter involving Du Shaokai.

Tang Song couldn't be bothered to message Chen Yunteng privately; after all, he wouldn't be staying much longer anyway.

He resubmitted the application and clocked out.

The Wuling Hongguang slowly drove out of the underground garage, merging into the city's sluggish traffic.

After parking the car in the Yun盛 Plaza parking lot, Tang Song stepped out from under his umbrella.

There were few pedestrians on the road, and bursts of thunder occasionally rolled from the sky. The rain hit the surface of the umbrella with a rhythmic "patter-patter" sound.

He walked briskly toward that familiar handmade fried skewer shop.

Tang Song picked up a glass basin and a pair of tongs and began selecting.

"Give me five skewers of juicy sweet potato skins, four skewers of Wangzhongwang ham, starch sausages... actually, forget the sausages, I don't know the brand so I'm afraid to buy them. Three skewers of vegetarian steaks, quail eggs, mutton, pork belly... the more vegetables, the better..."

At checkout, the balding shop owner smiled broadly and proactively rounded down the total to 180 yuan.

Tang Song thanked the owner, picked up the insulated bag, and walked out, stopping at the shop next door to buy two cups of hot pearl milk tea.

After turning a corner, the sign for Yizi Beauty & Hair Salon came into view.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he saw Zhao Yaqian standing behind the reception desk in a small blazer.

"Song... Brother Song, you're here! Welcome!" Zhao Yaqian hurried out, looking at him with pleasant surprise.

Tang Song set his umbrella aside and asked, "I haven't had my facial treatment this week. You should have time tonight, right?"

"I do. With this heavy rain, the shop... uh..." Zhao Yaqian lowered her voice, "has almost no customers. Sister Zhen, the cashier, didn't even come to work. The boss is throwing a fit in the WeChat group."

"That's perfect then." Tang Song held up the two insulated bags. "I bought your favorite handmade fried skewers. Let's eat before we do the treatment."

At the mention of "handmade fried skewers," Zhao Yaqian's eyes instantly lit up, and she nodded repeatedly. "I was just worrying about what to eat! Thank you, Brother Song!"

Walking into the staff breakroom in the beauty area, Zhao Yaqian unfolded a folding table and brought over two small stools.

Once seated, she impatiently unwrapped the packaging, leaning forward with her face close to the food.

The aroma of the secret sauce, chili, cumin, and the ingredients themselves blended together, causing involuntary tears to well up at the corners of her mouth.

"Is... isn't this portion too big? There are actually five servings of sweet potato skins, and so many meat skewers! Oh my god!"

Skewers she usually wouldn't dare order were appearing in abundance before her; Zhao Yaqian was dazed by this sudden burst of happiness.

Tang Song inserted straws into the milk teas and handed them to her, smiling. "I'm still on a diet, so you're the main force here. Eat up."

"Then I won't be polite!" Zhao Yaqian licked her lips, grabbed a skewer of sweet potato skin, and took a bite. Her eyes instantly crinkled into two crescents. "It's so delicious!"

In the quiet breakroom, the two of them chatted while eating, just as they did when they traveled together.

Aside from skincare, they occasionally talked about friends.

Tang Song learned that this beautician's roommate was her distant cousin, supposedly related through her mother's side.

This cousin had graduated from a junior college in Yancheng and was working in operations for a company. The salary wasn't high, but the workload was heavy, requiring overtime even on weekends. She was currently considering changing jobs to find something more relaxed.

Zhao Yaqian actually envied this cousin quite a bit. Many white-collar jobs in office buildings required at least a junior college diploma.

She had only graduated from high school, so the job positions available to her were limited.

In the enclosed environment, the beautician's beautiful face was inches away, along with her moist, full lips and the sexy curve of her waist.

Tang Song found it impossible to look away, and his heart rate refused to slow down.

"I'm so full! I can't do it, I really can't eat any more!" Zhao Yaqian stood up, rubbing her rounded belly with a look of pure satisfaction. "Brother Song, I'll go brush my teeth first, then we can start the treatment. My breath might be a bit strong, and I'm afraid it'll bother you."

Tang Song clenched his fists and leaned toward her, pretending to be nonchalant. "It's okay, I don't mind."

Zhao Yaqian froze, her face flushing slightly. She averted her gaze and said, "Um, it's just the smell of fried skewers. I'd better go handle it. Give me two minutes."

With that, she turned and walked away quickly.

...

Deep cleansing, exfoliation, essence treatment, moisturizing...

This facial treatment was even more meticulous than before, with each step taking a long time.

While applying a moisturizing mask, Zhao Yaqian even gave him a ten-minute head and neck massage.

Her technique was gentle and graceful, her touch delicate and warm.

It made Tang Song so comfortable he was nearly dozing off.

By the time the treatment ended, it was already 8:30 PM, and the rain was still falling outside.

Looking at Zhao Yaqian as she tidied up, Tang Song smiled. "Is it almost time to clock out? Perfect, I'll drive you home."

Zhao Yaqian's movements paused, and she whispered, "No need. I don't live close; it's a thirty-minute round trip. It'll take up too much of your time."

"I just picked up the car and my hands are itching to drive around. Just indulge me."

Seeing the sincerity in Tang Song's eyes, Zhao Yaqian bit her lower lip hard and nodded softly. "Thank you, Brother Song. I'll finish up right away."

She finally realized that Tang Song buying skewers and milk tea and coming to see her for skincare was because he was worried about her getting home in the rain.

Just like how he had used the rainbow umbrella as an excuse to send her a red envelope this morning.

...

The Wuling Hongguang rolled over the damp road, splashing fine mists of water as it drove toward Tiankuo Garden.

Zhao Yaqian was somewhat silent in the car, seemingly lost in thought.

Tang Song didn't disturb her. Taking advantage of the red lights, he opened his music player.

A clear guitar intro began to play.

[BGM: There are many things in this world / You bring nothing when you are born, and take nothing when you die / All you can take with you is yourself and your temperament / You once possessed the most beautiful love...]

Looking through the windshield, car lights flickered through the curtain of rain, adding a hazy beauty to the city.

The two of them listened to the music in silence, driving through the layers of rain on the streets of Yancheng at night.

"We're here." Tang Song parked the car outside Unit 2 of Building 6.

Zhao Yaqian opened her half-closed eyes and said softly, "Brother Song, thank you so much for today. You sent me a red envelope this morning, bought me so much delicious food tonight, and even drove me all this way. I actually feel quite... guilty."

"It's fine. We're good friends after all, and besides, you've helped me a lot, Qianqian."

Zhao Yaqian looked up into Tang Song's eyes and asked, "Brother Song, we'll always be good friends, right?"

Tang Song was momentarily stunned, then nodded. "Of course."

Zhao Yaqian clenched her hands, lowered her head, and whispered, "Then I'll head up first. You should head back early too; it's too late and not safe."

She grabbed her bag and umbrella and got out of the car. After walking a few steps, she jogged back to the driver's side window.

As Tang Song rolled down the window, Zhao Yaqian said earnestly, "When I get my salary, I'll fill up your car with gas first—95 octane! Then I'll treat you to the steak buffet at Wanda Plaza. I saw a really nice watch a few days ago; I'll give it to you then."

After saying this, she stepped into the building in her low-heeled leather shoes.

Amidst the familiar sounds of shouting from the street, the lights in the stairwell turned on, floor by floor.

(End of Chapter)