In the quiet bedroom, the door was tightly closed.
Seeing Tang Song sit down beside her, feeling the warmth and aura emanating from him, Liu Qingning scooted her bottom further inward.
As she lifted her head, she saw Tang Song fixedly staring at her.
After more than ten seconds of silence, the atmosphere grew increasingly ambiguous.
In an attempt to conceal her shyness, Liu Qingning put on a stern face and started chatting with him about artificial intelligence and large models.
In the past, when she was with Tang Song, most of the time they would discuss knowledge about computers, programming, and future career development plans.
As an industry practitioner, witnessing the future of this field was clear to her. She hoped Tang Song could learn more about it too, so he could keep moving upward and not be eliminated.
Shortly after they parted ways, on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT was officially released and quickly became popular.
At the same time, Qingning Technology also released its self-developed large model, along with chatbot applications and image generation programs.
With the rapid rise of two unicorn enterprises, domestically and internationally, the AI frenzy officially began.
When she mentioned Qingning Technology, Tang Song’s gaze flickered slightly.
He smiled nonchalantly: "The name Qingning Technology suits you well, and you work in the same industry, isn’t it quite the coincidence? Have you ever thought about working there?"
This company was entirely born because of her.
In 2018, Liu Qingning joined the startup group, engaged in AI-related development and applications.
In the 2018 timeline of the "Attractive Man Growth Plan," he maneuvered his capital and enterprises into a frenzy of AI layouts.
Before 2020, he completed his own puzzle.
Eventually, he merged several domestic and foreign tech companies, naming the new entity "Qingning Technology."
Upon hearing his question, Liu Qingning hesitated for a moment before suddenly countering: "So, do you hope I work at Qingning Technology?"
"Ugh, me?" Tang Song blinked. "Qingning Technology, as the current unicorn enterprise in the AI field with substantial capital backing, seems to have way more prospects compared to Century Wisdom."
"Oh." Liu Qingning nodded, not continuing with the topic.
Though she knew the best choice for herself was to stay in the big city.
She still had to consider Tang Song’s feelings.
To prevent this silly boy from refusing her kindness due to his ego and competitiveness.
She planned to wait until she completely left Shen City before confessing her plans to him.
By then, the situation would be set in stone, and he’d have no choice but to accept it.
Watching Tang Song’s profile rise and fall, imagining his expression once he knew, Liu Qingning’s face lit up with a bright smile.
"I’m going to turn off the lights, 3...2...1..."
As Tang Song turned off the ceiling light, Liu Qingning switched on the small bedside lamp.
The cramped bedroom was instantly enveloped in soft, warm yellow light.
The air conditioner murmured as it blew cool air.
The room felt cozy and comfortable.
"So in sync." Tang Song smiled at her, sitting barefoot on the edge of the bed.
Without suitable slippers, he could only make do for now and planned to fetch a pair of guest slippers tomorrow when he went to Shen City Bay No.1 to pick up his clothes.
"Just so we’re clear, it’s only because you came from so far away that I agreed to stay here tonight, but only this once!"
Liu Qingning leaned against the headboard, legs curled up, holding a pillow tightly, her big eyes blinking adorably.
"Yes, only this once, won’t happen again." Tang Song put his legs on the bed, turned to look at her, and said: "You’re not worried I’d do anything bad to you, are you?"
"Of course not, we’ve known each other for so many years, I know you well, hmm."
In all these years of knowing Tang Song, this was the first time they were sharing a bed.
Even when he first came to the Imperial City, and she helped him rent an apartment, clean, organize the room, she never stayed over.
After all, they were just friends, not lovers.
In this moment, in this tiny six-square-meter room, watching him so close, breathing in his scent.
Liu Qingning’s heart was pounding, but on the surface, she seemed composed.
"Mm-hmm, that’s more like it." Tang Song chuckled lightly, reached over, and playfully pinched her bun hairstyle.
Liu Qingning, not to be outdone, ruffled his hair.
Tang Song kept pinching, and she continued ruffling.
The slightly dim surroundings and loose pajamas noticeably boosted Liu Qingning’s confidence.
At least she didn’t have to worry about Tang Song seeing her poor skin condition and thickened waist.
Gradually, the bun hairstyle got squished, and Tang Song’s neatly arranged hair ended up in a mess.
They locked eyes, and both burst into "haha" laughter together.
After joking around, the awkwardness and shyness of sharing the room gradually dissipated.
"Let me show you some photos I took at First Middle School a few days ago. Seven years have passed, and so much has changed." Tang Song pulled out his phone, opened the album, and found the previous photos.
Liu Qingning’s eyes lit up as she slightly leaned sideways.
"The trees in front of the senior high teaching building have grown bigger."
"The cafeteria has been renovated, and now there are quite a few new snack windows inside."
"This place doesn’t seem to have changed. We used to play badminton together here often."
Sitting side by side at the head of the bed, Liu Qingning had unknowingly leaned her head onto his arm.
Tang Song held the phone with his left hand, while Liu Qingning flipped through the photos with her right hand.
They continued chatting quietly.
Tang Song spoke while occasionally glancing at her.
Her smooth forehead, fluttering eyelashes, elegant nose bridge, tender pink lips, and her full chest...