Chapter 16: Light April Rain, My First Car

"Oh?" Tang Song pulled out his phone and waved it at him. "Then should I ask Director Chen in the main group chat right now?"

Hearing this, Du Shaokai's expression completely collapsed.

He was the one currently responsible for maintenance; if Tang Song actually did that, he would be looking for trouble!

In his impression, Tang Song had always been a soft-hearted, easygoing office guy.

Frugal in life, gentle in speech, and introverted.

He never expected him to have such a sharp, aggressive side.

*Did he lose his brain along with the weight loss?*

Gritting his teeth, Du Shaokai said in a low voice, "Old Tang, we're alumni. We sat through plenty of large lectures together in college. I know you're the type of tech geek who actually gets things done.

Our company is about to receive a massive round of financing, and things are only going to get better. Just stick with me steadily, and in a couple of years, I can help you move into a management position.

You might not know this, but Li Zhongguo, the Vice President in charge of our channel business, is my uncle."

Hearing this, Tang Song had an epiphany; no wonder Chen Yunteng had been looking out for him so much.

"So? I'm doing this for your own good..." Du Shaokai had only said a few words before quickly shutting his mouth.

He stared straight ahead.

The gloomy expression on his face instantly brightened.

Straightening his posture, he waved his hand and gave a brilliant smile. "Xiao Jing, Huihui, good afternoon! Are you two beauties out for a stroll as well?"

"Good afternoon."

Tang Song turned his head and saw two female colleagues walking toward them.

Tian Jing and Liu Huihui from the Human Resources Department.

Tang Song's gaze unconsciously focused on the sweet-looking Tian Jing.

He couldn't help but marvel again—her skin was truly white!

A standard "cool white" complexion that looked as if it were glowing.

If he had skin that good, he could probably call himself a "handsome bastard" too.

Of course, as the company goddess, Tian Jing's figure was also top-tier.

To use a popular internet term, she possessed a "natural JK physique."

Her proportions were well-balanced, her curves elegant, her waist slender, and her legs were both long and straight.

The group of old perverts in the company discussed her every day, but very few actually dared to pursue her.

After all, she drove an Audi A5.

Du Shaokai no longer cared about Tang Song; he quickened his pace and stood beside the two women.

He said obsequiously, "Xiao Jing, I wanted to compliment you at the office this morning. This outfit is wonderful today; it suits you perfectly!"

"Thanks for the compliment, it's well-deserved." Tian Jing smiled and made a peace sign, looking incredibly sweet and cute.

Her outfit today was indeed carefully prepared.

A shirt paired with a knit vest on top, a pleated mini-skirt on the bottom, and a lotus-colored trench coat layered over it.

Standing there, she looked exactly like an anime-style beautiful girl, very eye-catching.

Liu Huihui said with feigned anger, "That's excessive! You only complimented one of us. You're trying to sow discord between us; watch out, or I'll change your attendance records."

"Huihui, you... you're alright too, I guess."

"I'll hit you! Don't you dare run!"

The three of them stood there giggling for a while, and by the time they snapped out of it, they realized Tang Song had already walked far away.

Liu Huihui remarked, "Tang Song is quite impressive, losing so much weight without making a sound. That kind of perseverance is quite remarkable."

Du Shaokai gave a light chuckle. "Maybe he got rejected by a girl and drank too much 'chicken soup for the soul,' so he started acting out."

He deliberately emphasized the words "acting out" and even made a gesture of smearing something on a wall.

This sent Liu Huihui and Tian Jing into fits of laughter.

Tian Jing blinked, subconsciously looking toward Tang Song's retreating back.

She didn't have a strong impression of this somewhat silent colleague; she only remembered him being a bit chubby.

During the Friday afternoon tea sessions she was responsible for, she could always see his busy figure.

...

16:20 PM.

*Ding-dong—* A WeChat notification sounded.

【Zhao Yaqian: "Sorry, bro, I just finished being busy. I'm free tonight. I know a very, very delicious fried skewer shop. Can I treat you to a meal? Please? (#Craving)"】

After a moment of hesitation, Tang Song replied, "Okay, I get off work at 6 PM."

【Zhao Yaqian: "Alright then, I'll wait for you at the shop. See you later."】

Exiting the chat interface, Tang Song rubbed his empty stomach, feeling a bit troubled.

If he went to a skewer shop, he might really lose control and overeat, which would mean delaying his challenge task.

After thinking for a moment, he simply ran down to the Lawson convenience store downstairs.

He bought a carton of milk, a roasted sweet potato, and a few sticks of oden.

He had to occupy his stomach first.

At 6 PM, he closed his laptop and clocked out right on time.

Walking out of the office building.

A slightly chilly breeze brushed against his face, and the air was laced with the moist fragrance of earth.

Tang Song looked up; dark clouds were piling up in the sky, their color deepening.

It seemed to herald an approaching spring rain.

Fortunately, he wasn't far from Yunsheng Plaza; it was less than a ten-minute walk.

Tang Song bet that he wouldn't be that unlucky.

Wrapping his coat tighter around him, he began a light jog along the sidewalk toward Yunsheng Plaza.

The sky grew dim, the wind intensified, and pedestrians on the street hurried along.

*Plip.* Something cold hit his forehead.

Immediately after, raindrops began to fall, growing denser by the second.

It had started to rain.

"Damn it!" Tang Song slowed his pace, unable to help but sigh.

*Beep beep beep—* A car horn sounded beside him.

A white Honda Civic slowly rolled down its window, and Guo Peng leaned over to shout at him, "Come on, boy! Get in!"

Tang Song gave a light laugh, opened the door, and climbed in. "Thanks for the rescue, Brother Guo!"

"Don't mention it. Where to? I'll drop you off."

"The pedestrian street at the west gate of Yunsheng Plaza."

"You got it, let's go!" Guo Peng shouted, released the brake, and the car slowly pulled away.

Dense raindrops hit the windshield and were swept away by the wipers.

Melodic music was playing through the car speakers.

*"Folding all the spring into a single morning / Turning all the unstoppable words into secrets behind closed doors / Oh, inexplicable emotions, I wonder who will carry them away..."*

"This is the benefit of having a car—having a tool to shield you from the wind and rain, and not having to worry about catching a taxi when eating with a girl." Guo Peng patted the steering wheel and remarked, "I've saved up enough for a down payment. I plan to buy a house next month. Even a second-hand one is fine; I don't mind if the complex is older, as long as it's a two-bedroom. Once the car and house are sorted, I can be more confident during blind dates."

"That's great. I wish you all the best, Brother Guo. Hope you find a beautiful wife soon."

"Hehe, keep it up, Xiao Tang. You'll have your day too, it's not far off."

Tang Song looked at the heavy traffic and the hurried passersby outside the window and nodded slightly.

Guo Peng was already 30 this year. He had been working very hard to buy a house in Yancheng, facing a lot of pressure, and now he was finally about to achieve his goal.

Tang Song used to feel that the current Guo Peng was his own future.

The two hadn't chatted much before they arrived at the pedestrian street outside Yunsheng Plaza, which was very close to the Yizi Beauty & Hair Salon.

Tang Song said his goodbyes and pushed the door open to step out.

Shielding his hair with his hand, he ran forward a few steps and saw a tall figure standing at the entrance.

As if noticing the somewhat disheveled Tang Song.

Zhao Yaqian hurriedly opened a beautiful rainbow umbrella and hurried toward him in her low-heeled leather shoes.

In the heavy, misty twilight, the lights on the pedestrian street suddenly flickered on, and the evening wind carried fine threads of rain through the streets and alleys.

Occasionally, raindrops bypassed the umbrella and splashed onto Zhao Yaqian's small blazer.

As her figure drew closer, a crisp system notification rang in Tang Song's ear.

"Ding! You have triggered the branch mission [My First Car]. Please go to the [Mission Center] to view details."

(End of Chapter)