Maxing Out Charisma, Inheriting Game Assets Chapter 636: Boyfriend, Girlfriend

Night had long since fallen.

In Unit 501, Building 8, Yun Jing Tai community, the spacious and bright living room was warm and cozy.

The television was playing the evening news, but Tang Jianying and Xu Feng both seemed distracted.

“Can you call again and ask when our son will be back?”

“Why rush?” Xu Feng gave him a sharp look. “Xiao Song runs such a big company in Yancheng. He’s definitely busy to the point of exhaustion every day. Let’s not bother him. If he said he’d be back today, he definitely will be.”

Though she said that, she couldn’t help but send a message to Tang Song herself.

*Chatter—*

[Tang Song: Just finished work, should be home around eight.]

Xu Feng quickly replied, “No rush. Eat first, then come over. Be safe on the road and dress warmly; it’s cold.”

Tang Jianying sighed, “A few days ago, when I went back home to tidy up, Sister Guo’s niece again mentioned how popular Xiao Song’s ‘Songmei Apparel’ is now. Seems like he’s even started his own fashion line. She even wanted me to ask if the company needed more people.”

Xu Feng snorted lightly, “Heh, anyone can see that niece has a crush on our son. Speaking of which, our son’s market value is really good now. He’s been approached by no shortage of matchmakers recently. But Xiao Song is already 27, successful in his career, owns a house—it’s time he starts thinking about settling down.”

Since they moved to this upscale community, news of Tang Yi’s fortune from e-commerce live streaming had already spread among relatives and friends.

Aside from a few people subtly trying to get involved in his business or arrange jobs, the least of their worries was matchmaking.

Wang Zhigang nodded, then suddenly asked, “He said, what about your relationship with Bian Qingning? Is there no hope yet?”

“Ah…” Bian Gang sighed and turned off the TV. “Next time I come back, you can ask around subtly. I can only say, looks like it’s too optimistic.”

Wang Zhigang’s face was full of disappointment and regret.

They truly detested that girl, Tang Songning.

Pretty, smart, sensible, outstanding—she wasn’t some random kid; she was the county’s top scholar from the college entrance exams.

Her relationship with their son was so bad that there were flaws in every aspect.

But she wasn’t too outstanding; otherwise, she could have ended up with Tang Yi.

They all knew about their son’s desire to study in the Imperial Capital for graduate school and what it was for.

Because of family affairs, he was delayed, and the gap between him and Tang Songning kept shrinking. They felt guilty about it.

Now that Tang Yi’s career was finally taking off, the old couple naturally raised those thoughts again.

“Wait until Da Song is back, and then you can ask more carefully to find out the real situation,” they resolved in Yancheng.

Just then,

*Ding-dong—*

The video doorbell suddenly rang.

“See who it is,” Bian Gang said as he walked to the entrance.

He immediately saw an unfamiliar face on the screen.

“It’s Qing Ning!”

Hearing that name, Xu Feng practically jumped off the sofa and hurried over.

“Auntie, Uncle, good evening.”

On the screen, Liu Qingning stood lively at the unit door, wrapped in a thick coat, wearing a sweet smile.

“Oh, Qing Ning, why didn’t you say you were coming!”

Xu Feng spoke as she quickly pressed the unlock button.

Within minutes, the elevator arrived.

Liu Qingning appeared before them, pulling a silver suitcase.

The early winter night was near freezing, and her cute face was rosy red like a ripe apple from the cold.

Xu Feng hurried forward, warmly grabbing her icy hand and pulling her inside.

“Oh, come in and warm up!”

Tang Jianying stared at the suitcase by her feet. “Qing Ning, why are you still carrying a suitcase? Did you just…”

Liu Qingning smiled and explained, “Yeah, I just got back from Shencheng, just arrived in Jing County.”

“Ah? You haven’t gone home yet?!” Xu Feng was stunned.

Qing Ning shook her head with an air of certainty, “No, my home is by the South Ring Road. I happened to be passing by here, so I thought I’d come visit you first. Oh, by the way, I brought some gifts for you.” 𝐑âＮɵＢЕŚ

Tang Jianying and Xu Feng exchanged glances, both a little confused by this move.

Qing Ning casually set down her suitcase, opened it, and took out several carefully prepared gift boxes.

“Uncle, this is tea for you. Auntie, I brought back bird’s nest and a set of anti-aging skincare products from Shencheng. They work really well; you have to try them.”

“Th-this… Qing Ning, you come and bring gifts like this!”

Xu Feng quickly waved her hand, overwhelmed by the sudden warmth and feeling a little dizzy.

Though Qing Ning often visited before and behaved politely and sensibly, this time was completely different.

She just returned to Jing County, hadn’t even gone home, and already came straight to their house with a whole suitcase of gifts.

Qing Ning beamed as she pressed the gifts into Xu Feng’s hands, “Oh, don’t refuse. It’s just a little token from me as your junior. Besides, it saves me from being called stingy and inconsiderate by Tang Song later.”

Xu Feng’s heart skipped a beat, seemingly realizing something.

Her face immediately blossomed with a warm, affectionate smile. “Sit down, sit down! You must be exhausted from coming all this way. Have you eaten? Jianying, go pour Qing Ning a cup of hot water!”

“I ate on the plane.”

Qing Ning sat obediently on the sofa, warming her hands on the hot water, naturally chatting with them.

The topic shifted from her work in Shencheng to Xu Feng’s health.

She held Xu Feng’s hand, expressing care and concern with an intimacy that was even more touching than a daughter’s.

Seventy minutes ago

*Ring-ring-ring—* The phone suddenly rang.

Qing Ning glanced at the screen, stood up, and answered, “Hello, Dad.”

“I’ve arrived in Jing County and will be home soon.”

“I already ate.”

After hanging up, Qing Ning turned with an apologetic smile. “Uncle, Auntie, I have to head home now.”

Xu Feng looked at the wall clock. “Why not stay a bit longer? Xiao Song should be home around eight.”

“No, my dad is urging me. When Tang Song is back, he can come find me. We’re not far apart anyway, both in the county.”

Xu Feng hesitated but finally asked a question she had held inside for a long time: “Qing Ning, did you two plan to come back together?”

Qing Ning’s cheeks instantly flushed, and she shyly said, “Yeah… tomorrow is my birthday. He was supposed to fly to Shencheng to be with me, but I was worried the round trip would be too tiring, so we agreed to celebrate together here at home.”

Hearing this, both Xu Feng and Tang Jianying’s hearts skipped a beat.

Xu Feng took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly. “Qing Ning, so you and Xiao Song, you two are…”

Qing Ning’s face showed surprise and confusion. “Huh? Didn’t Tang Song tell you? We… we have been together for months.”

Tang Jianying and Xu Feng exchanged glances, both seeing indescribable joy in the other’s eyes.

Happiness came so suddenly!

“Oh my!” Xu Feng excitedly slapped her thigh, her voice rising a few tones. “That brat! Such a big thing and he kept it from us! When he gets back, I’m going to have a good talk with him!”

Qing Ning covered her mouth and laughed softly, “I’ll head home now, no need to see me off.”

Though she said so, Xu Feng still personally escorted Liu Qingning to the community gate.

Her warmth and affection almost melted her.

Getting into a taxi, Liu Qingning exhaled deeply, clasping her hands in front of her, trying to calm her wildly beating heart.

Though she appeared composed and proper, inside she was nervous, wistful, and filled with indescribable shyness.

Her choice to spend her birthday back home was originally planned with this in mind, but not so soon or so urgently.

In the end, it was the suffocating pressure brought by Jin Meixiao and Su Yu.

So not only did she have to “conquer” Tang Song’s parents, but also needed to come clean with her own parents.

Last Mid-Autumn Festival, her parents came to Shencheng for a trip.

Because she was still hesitant about the complicated relationship then and hadn’t fully accepted it herself, she didn’t confess about Tang Song.

After all, both families knew each other, and once the truth was out, many things could spiral out of control.

The seaside apartment in Shencheng Bay No. 1 she stayed in was only described as a friend’s place where she temporarily stayed to entertain them.

She hadn’t even told her parents about her work at Qingning Technology.

But now it was different. It was time to make a clear statement.

Outside the car window, the familiar yet slightly strange night scene of the county town slowly receded.

Those familiar buildings and shop signs were like a rapidly flipped old photo album, bringing back scenes from the past.

Her gaze became slightly absent-minded.

*Ding-dong—* A WeChat notification sounded.

[Tang Song: Why did you suddenly go to my house? My mom just called me and went on and on.]

Qing Ning quickly came to her senses and pressed her lips tightly, replying, “What? You’re not happy?”

[Tang Song: No, I saw the gifts you brought my parents. Thank you, my dear girlfriend (#kiss).]

Qing Ning couldn’t help but smile and sent a sticker.

Then she typed again, “Where are you now?”

[Tang Song: Almost in Quancheng.]

Qing Ning: “I went to Jing County, but I haven’t gone home yet, just came to see uncle and aunt. Shouldn’t someone show some attention too?”

[Tang Song: Wait for my call.]

Qing Ning smiled and put away her phone.

Just then, the taxi driver said, “Miss, the Kuangjian community is here.”

Qing Ning pointed forward, “Driver, please drop me off downstairs. I’ll guide you from there.”

“All right.”

The car passed through the weathered North Gate and entered this somewhat dilapidated community.

Kuangjian community was a unit-built housing area by the Quancheng Mining Construction Company, a typical old neighborhood from the 1990s.

The buildings were no taller than four floors, the interiors shabby, with no standardized property management.

Liu Xueming, Qing Ning’s father, was an employee there, working as an accountant.

When she was in sixth grade, her father used connections and money to transfer from the town’s coal mine to the county. Their family moved into this community as a result.

She therefore left the elementary school where Tang Song was.

Back then, she didn’t feel anything special about him, only seeing him as a somewhat childish childhood playmate.

Years later, after graduating from middle school, their unexpected encounter—the shy young boy with rosy lips and white teeth riding a bike—and the dramatic reunion in high school, created a different story between them.

Soon, the taxi stopped outside Unit 3, Building 7.

Qing Ning paid the fare and, just as she got out, she saw a familiar figure waiting downstairs.

“Qing Ning, you’re back.” Liu Xueming hurried over and took the suitcase from the trunk.

“Dad, it’s so cold outside. Why are you standing here?”

“Just came out for a smoke; it’s too stuffy inside.”

“Smoke less, your lungs aren’t good.”

“Got it, got it,” Liu Xueming said with a smile.

They talked as they walked into Apartment 03 on the first floor.

A warm scent of cooking and everyday life greeted them, dispelling all the cold.

The house was small, only about sixty square meters, with decor from over a decade ago, carrying the simple style of that era.

But it was tidy and full of a homely warmth.

Qing Ning’s mother, Zhang Yunlan, came out of the kitchen holding a steaming plate of dumplings.

Seeing her, her smile immediately blossomed. “Qing Ning! Come quickly, the dumplings just came out of the pot. Your favorite zucchini and egg filling!”

“Mom, I already said I ate. Why bother?”

“Coming all the way from Shencheng, you can’t not eat some home cooking!”

Qing Ning took off her thick coat, grabbed chopsticks, and sat by the small tea table.

She picked up a plump white dumpling, blew on it gently, then took a small bite.

The fresh zucchini had a hint of sweetness, mixed with the fragrant fried egg and familiar sesame oil aroma, instantly blooming on her taste buds.

A smile naturally appeared on Qing Ning’s face.

Zhang Yunlan and Liu Xueming sat across from her, their eyes full of joy as they asked about her new job and life.

They knew she had left Century Zhixue and jumped to Qingning Technology, a company with a name closely related to hers, but they didn’t know much else.

However, they had always been proud and reassured by their daughter since she was young.

Since they had already eaten dinner, Qing Ning only had four or five dumplings before stopping.

*Ring-ring-ring—*

A sudden phone ring broke the warm atmosphere at the table.

Seeing the name flashing on the screen, Qing Ning quickly put down her chopsticks.

Wiping her mouth, she answered.

“Hello? Teacher Wang.”

“Qing Ning, are you busy? Sorry to bother you,” came the gentle, familiar voice of Professor Wang Chang.

“Not busy. Teacher Wang, I took the day off and just returned to Jing County.”

“Heh, tomorrow’s your birthday. It’s time to celebrate at home.” Wang Chang paused, took a deep breath as if to steady his emotions, then said seriously, “Qing Ning, I have something important to tell you. This afternoon, I officially submitted a leave of absence without pay to the school.”

Qing Ning’s heart skipped a beat. “Teacher Wang! You’re leaving Imperial Capital University?”

They had a mentor-student relationship for many years, and he had helped her a lot. She respected him deeply.

“Not leaving.” Wang Chang’s voice was full of laughter and anticipation. “I received an offer I can’t refuse. Tang Yi Precision formally invited me to join the ‘Xuanji Optical World’ project as the deputy director of the soon-to-be-established AI Research Institute, mainly responsible for university cooperation and cutting-edge project incubation.”

He paused, full of pride for his accomplished student. “Qing Ning, I heard the institute prioritized me because of our mentor-student relationship. Teacher... thank you.”

Qing Ning was moved and quickly replied, “Teacher Wang, you’re too kind. I haven’t done much.”

“All right, just telling you. Looking forward to our cooperation.”

They chatted a bit more before hanging up.

Qing Ning’s gaze grew thoughtful.

Tang Yi Precision... my connection...

Could it be... Su Yu?

Just then, Zhang Yunlan asked with concern, “Qing Ning, was that Professor Wang? Is she leaving Imperial Capital University?”

“No, Teacher Wang is going to work at a company and will cooperate more deeply with me in the future.”

“Oh, that’s great news!”

Qing Ning nodded absentmindedly, her mind racing.

Liu Xueming sighed, “Your Professor Wang is a good person. She’s helped you a lot since college. When you went to Shencheng, she even chatted with us several times to ease our worries and urged us to support your career.”

Hearing this, Qing Ning suddenly looked up sharply at her mother. “By the way, Mom, before I went to Shencheng, did you say anything to Tang Song?”

Zhang Yunlan avoided her gaze. “No, what could I say to Tang Song?”

“You definitely did,” Qing Ning said firmly. “You told him to support me going to Shencheng with the company and not to hold me back, right?”

She was very perceptive.

Last year in the Imperial Capital, when Tang Song heard Century Zhixue was moving to Shencheng, he was reluctant and worried.

Then suddenly, he started fully supporting her, and she left the Imperial Capital to return to Yancheng.

Since then, her family stopped discussing her relationship with Tang Song.

She guessed why but wanted to focus on her career and cash out quickly to buy a house in Yancheng, so she didn’t expose it.

Zhang Yunlan’s expression changed as she admitted, “It’s true! Your company had just signed a big deal and was about to make a lot of money. I was afraid you’d miss a good opportunity.”

“Did Teacher Wang ask you to persuade me?”

“Huh? No. Your professor just analyzed the pros and cons for us.”

Hearing this, Qing Ning’s eyes trembled slightly, seemingly understanding something.

Since Su Yu could intervene in Century Zhixue’s angel round, she naturally influenced Professor Wang.

And Professor Wang influenced her parents. One link after another...

Su Yu, you’re really scheming!

Seeing her daughter’s silence, Zhang Yunlan cautiously said, “Qing Ning, you’re doing well now...”

Qing Ning looked up calmly, “There’s something I haven’t told you. Tang Song and I are together. He’s my boyfriend now.”

“Ah? Since when?!” Zhang Yunlan and Liu Xueming asked simultaneously but without much surprise.

They had complicated feelings about Tang Song.

They knew his background and knew he was sincere to their daughter.

If Qing Ning’s career wasn’t so important, they wouldn’t have been so harsh.

Later, they heard Tang Song was doing well with a live streaming company in Yancheng, driving a Mercedes-Benz, and even bought a Yun Jing Tai apartment fully for his parents. They had prepared themselves mentally.

“For several months now,” Qing Ning said seriously. “He’ll be coming to Jing County soon and will visit us.”

“Ah! I’ll cut some fruit,” Zhang Yunlan said, hurrying to the fridge. “Xueming, make some tea.”