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Who hasn’t loved a girl in their youth? She embodies all the beauty of the world and leaves an indelible mark on your heart for a lifetime.
This was Zhao Mingchuan’s deepest scar—a wound that had healed on the surface but still throbbed with broken bones and torn tendons beneath. His friends, subordinates, and relatives all remained silent, not daring to utter a single word about it.
Only Chu Ning dared.
Her fearless tenacity mirrored his own untamed wildness. When these two clashed, sparks flew, leaving Zhao Mingchuan seething with anger.
Chu Ning was nearly strangled to the point of suffocation, yet she made no sound, gritting her teeth and enduring it, her gaze unwavering.
“You’re just begging to die,” Zhao Mingchuan growled, pinning her against the wall. Chu Ning’s face turned pale as she gasped for air.
The housekeeper arrived first, flustered and unsure how to intervene. “Young Master Chuan, please let go—Little Ning is suffocating!”
Chen Yue rushed down the stairs, her footsteps hurried and panicked. “Mingchuan, Mingchuan, don’t do this!” She worried for her daughter but didn’t dare defy the young master. Her hand hovered in the air, wanting to pull him away but not daring to touch him.
Chu Ning could already taste the faint metallic tang of blood rising in her throat. Finally, Zhao Mingchuan released her, his gaze cruel and disdainful. He pointed at her. “If there’s a next time, you can try me.”
With that, Zhao Mingchuan slammed the door and left.
The housekeeper rushed to support Chu Ning, her heart aching. “Both of you have such tiger-like tempers. What are we going to do?”
Chu Ning couldn’t speak, coughing violently instead.
Chen Yue frantically poured her a glass of water, patting her back to help her catch her breath. “Drink slowly—don’t rush to speak.”
The red marks on Chu Ning’s neck had turned purple. Chen Yue felt both pity and frustration. “He was drunk last night—you saw that yourself. And I warned you not to argue with him. Look at what happened! You’re the one who ends up losing.”
Chu Ning had calmed down somewhat and spoke in a hoarse voice. “Why are you so afraid of him? Does he have an extra eye or an extra arm?”
Chen Yue wanted to maintain peace in the household, but this rebellious daughter of hers wouldn’t listen. She vented her grievances: “You should understand our situation. Do you think it’s been easy for me to get to where I am today? I’ve had to please this person, take care of that one, always worrying about making mistakes and giving others something to gossip about behind my back.”
These were Chen Yue’s deeply buried feelings, now spilling out uncontrollably. “Ningning, can’t you stop being so stubborn? Just soften a little, and life will be easier for us in this family. All this fighting between you and your brother—it makes you look bad in the eyes of others.”
Chu Ning’s frown had already cooled. She said, “I’m not like you.”
Chen Yue didn’t understand.
“I may not care about appearances, but I have my pride.”
The drama of the night unfolded grandly. Zhao Mingchuan didn’t return after leaving, and Chu Ning spent a sleepless night tossing and turning. She got up repeatedly, unable to rest. By 2 AM, she turned on her computer, hoping work would lull her into numbness, but her mind remained blank, refusing to focus.
Giving up, Chu Ning shut her laptop, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from her drawer, and sat cross-legged by the bay window, smoking pensively as she gazed at the city.
________________________________________
Early the next morning, before dawn, she returned to the office.
Ningjing Investment was located near the Fourth Ring Road, having moved to this high-rise building with a monthly rent of nearly 100,000 yuan just two years ago. In its early days, the company operated out of a modest residential unit, saving costs while struggling through hardships that could fill an entire dictionary.
After the daily 9 AM meeting, Chu Ning brought up the collaboration project with Jinmu North City—the same one Zhao Mingchuan had mentioned the previous night. Originally involved in traditional manufacturing, the company had recently transitioned to VR technology, riding the wave of trends. The boss, Xu Youshan, was of average build and quite talkative. His LV briefcase looked suspiciously counterfeit—overall, he didn’t seem very reliable.
He had a VR glasses production order worth over two million yuan. In short, he had the project but lacked funding. A mutual acquaintance had connected the two companies to collaborate.
For Chu Ning, this was a significant deal. Moreover, since it was recommended by someone she knew, her concerns were naturally reduced. As for Zhao Mingchuan’s words the previous night, they were likely deliberate.
That man’s character...
Chu Ning scoffed softly, letting out a dismissive “Hmph.” No one should expect him to do anything good for her.
A knock sounded at the office door. Chu Ning swiveled her chair back with a nudge of her foot. “Come in.”
Guan Yu entered, her face bright with a smile. “My family made chicken soup today, and since I was passing by, I brought some for you.” She held up a thermos lunchbox with her right hand and glanced at Chu Ning. “Hmm, that scarf looks nice on you today.” Then she asked, “How was last night? Did you and your brother fight again?”
Chu Ning’s brows furrowed slightly. “No.”
Guan Yu observed her carefully. “Your complexion doesn’t look good. You need to replenish your energy.”
“Really?” Chu Ning took out her makeup mirror and examined herself from different angles. Having not slept the previous night, she had applied heavier makeup that morning, adding bold red lipstick to brighten her appearance.
Guan Yu placed the thermos on the desk. “You stood me up yesterday, so no excuses tonight. Come with me to eat sashimi.”
“Do you really need me to accompany you?” Chu Ning put away the mirror. “What about that guy from the other night?”
“What guy?”
“The punk guy you flirted with at the bar.”
Guan Yu pouted playfully. “I wasn’t flirting!”
Chu Ning rested her chin on her hand, smiling faintly. “Oh, so you weren’t flirting with him? Then what exactly did you do with him?”
Guan Yu clicked her tongue but didn’t deny it. Leaning closer, she confided, “His skills are pretty good. We went four rounds last night, and he still had energy for one more this morning.”
Chu Ning remained expressionless.
“Ah, youth is wonderful,” Guan Yu sighed sincerely. “So full of vigor and stamina.”
Not wanting to hear any more of her tales, Chu Ning said, “I can’t keep you company tonight either—I have a meeting at 4 PM.”
Guan Yu wanted to throttle her. Half exasperated, half reminding, she said, “Can’t you give yourself a break? All you think about is money, money, money—it’s exhausting.”
Chu Ning smiled, rising to pat her cheek affectionately. “Be good.”
________________________________________
Scheduled for 4 PM, Ying Jing arrived at 3:30.
Today, he was wearing the same suit. To appear slimmer, he had removed his wool sweater and opted for a short-sleeved white shirt that left him feeling rather chilly. College students rarely wore such attire, so finding a business shirt was already an achievement—he didn’t bother distinguishing between long and short sleeves.
Before leaving, Qi Yu exclaimed, “You’re not wearing thermal pants again?”
Ying Jing replied, “Nope.”
“The temperature dropped by over ten degrees today. When I went out earlier, the wind felt like knives cutting into my skin.”
Ying Jing strode out briskly. Honestly, what kind of handsome young man wears thermal pants?
As soon as he stepped out of the dormitory building, the fierce wind battered the leaves, and the temperature felt like a freezer.
“Damn.” Ying Jing instantly curled up like a shrimp, conceding defeat. “...Thermal pants are teaching me a lesson.”
Arriving early, he confirmed the appointment with the receptionist. Since Chu Ning had arranged everything beforehand, the process was smooth.
“Let me show you to the waiting room,” the receptionist offered. “President Ning is still in a meeting.”
Ying Jing responded, “It’s fine. You go ahead—I’ll find my way. Just tell me which floor.”
He had already noticed how busy this sister was, constantly answering calls and receiving email notifications. She apologized briefly before taking another call. Unfocused, her elbow knocked against a glass on the table. Just as it seemed destined to shatter heroically, Ying Jing quickly reached out and caught it. Carefully, he placed it in a corner. The receptionist sighed in relief, smiling gratefully at Ying Jing. He grinned and gave her a thumbs-up before heading to the elevator on his own.
Chu Ning’s company occupied the 35th floor. The office area was spacious, with four rows accommodating dozens of employees. The front rooms housed offices and meeting rooms, neatly organized. Through the glass walls, Ying Jing saw Chu Ning seated at the head of the table. She sat relaxed, one hand resting lightly on her chin as she listened to the presentations below.
The cloudy afternoon light was dim, but the bright overhead lights illuminated her porcelain skin. Her features were exquisite, especially her expressive eyes. Ying Jing observed her carefully, so much so that when someone called out to him, he jumped like a guilty thief.
“Hello, may I ask who you’re here to see?” It was a male voice.
Instinctively, Ying Jing glanced toward the meeting room. At that moment, Chu Ning happened to turn around and spotted him.
When the meeting ended, Chu Ning stepped out. “So early?”
Ying Jing grinned. “Not really—I’ve been waiting for you.”
Chu Ning scanned him from head to toe. This kid looked surprisingly good in a suit. Not the mature, polished look of an experienced man, but a clean-cut charm that was uniquely appealing.
“Let’s go inside and talk,” Chu Ning led him into her office. “Please, have a seat.”
Ying Jing sat up straight, folding his hands neatly on the desk, looking like a diligent student ready for class.
After wrapping up the remaining details from the previous meeting, Chu Ning began. “I’ve reviewed the new project proposal. The content is more substantial than last time, but it’s still too technical. A face-to-face discussion would be better.”
Ying Jing nodded and spread out his copy of the proposal. “Alright, I’ll start now. If you have any questions, feel free to interrupt.”
Chu Ning nodded. “Go ahead.”
Over the next twenty minutes, Ying Jing didn’t glance at the proposal once. He spoke confidently and articulately, maintaining gentle yet steady eye contact with Chu Ning throughout. When someone is fully immersed in what they’re doing, childish impulsiveness naturally recedes, replaced by calmness and magnetism.
“The core technologies and challenges of aviation engines are concentrated in the hot-end components. Undeniably, there’s still a significant gap between our technological capabilities and those of foreign countries. However, we must also recognize that our development is progressing rapidly.”
On that dreary, overcast autumn afternoon, the young man’s voice was clear and earnest, his delivery compelling and composed. Chu Ning didn’t interrupt once.
A fleeting rainstorm passed.
Ying Jing finished, saying, “If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask.”
Chu Ning remained silent, betraying no discernible emotion.
Ying Jing clenched his fists nervously, almost suffocating under the tension.
After a moment, Chu Ning finally looked at him and delivered an objectively measured assessment: “Your memory is quite impressive.”
Ying Jing: “...”
“From a young age, you must have excelled at memorizing texts.”
Ying Jing’s heart sank deeper than the chill of not wearing thermal pants that day.
“What you’ve said is too general. I don’t have a clear concept. I know that aviation engines are a high-end, promising field. But what I don’t know is what this industry can bring me.”
In short, Ying Jing’s presentation hadn’t hit the right notes for Chu Ning. She couldn’t see a quick return on investment.
All his enthusiasm deflated, leaving him utterly dejected. Impulsively, he blurted out, “You’ve already decided not to choose me, so why bother calling me here? If you’re just wasting my time, don’t bother inviting me.”
Chu Ning furrowed her brows, thinking, Is this kid clueless?
This wasn’t the attitude of someone doing business—not even close to understanding the market. Repeated discussions, multiple rounds of communication, and aligning both parties’ opinions—wasn’t that the necessary process?
Chu Ning reflected briefly, realizing her tone might have been harsh, especially since he was still inexperienced. “What I meant was, it could...”
“I know.” Ying Jing interrupted, glancing at her before lowering his head again, sulking. “Sorry, my attitude was wrong.”
Unexpectedly, Chu Ning felt a slight pang of guilt.
She nodded and softened her tone. “Later, I’ll review your presentation again.”
Ying Jing immediately looked up. “Will you consider me?”
Chu Ning hesitated for a moment, looking at him for several seconds. “Yes.”
Ying Jing’s face lit up as if half the green buds in his heart had sprouted anew.
Chu Ning shifted her gaze and said calmly, “That’s all for today. If there’s anything, my secretary will contact you.”
“Aren’t you treating me to dinner?” Ying Jing suddenly asked.
“...?”
“It’s dinnertime already.” Ying Jing pointed outside. “It’s dark.”
Chu Ning was momentarily speechless.
Ying Jing flashed a bright smile, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “I’m just joking with you.”
“...”
He stood up, pushing his chair back to leave. “I’ll wait for your message. Bye.”
As he turned his broad back to her, the wrinkles on his suit jacket hinted at the hours he’d spent sitting. Suddenly, Chu Ning’s resolve softened. She called out, “Let’s eat.”
Ying Jing was surprised. “Huh?”
Chu Ning pulled out her car keys and handbag from the drawer, walking around the desk. “Didn’t you say you wanted me to treat you to dinner? Let’s go.”
This dinner was a result of trickery and persuasion. Ying Jing felt a bit uneasy eating it. Due to the impromptu decision and the weekend rush, all the nearby restaurants were fully booked. Chu Ning took him to two places, each more extravagant than the last.
“Hey, let’s not eat here.”
Chu Ning asked, “Then where?”
Ying Jing thought for a moment and said, “Let’s go to Sanwu Alley near our school. They have everything. The chefs work fast, and though it’s crowded, turnover is quick—you won’t have to wait long.”
Chu Ning chuckled at his explanation. “Your school is too far, and it’s peak traffic time now. If we drive there, we’ll only be able to eat late-night snacks.”
“We’re not driving.” Ying Jing beckoned to her. “We’ll take the subway for fifteen minutes and then ride a shared bike for five minutes—it’ll be quick.”
Chu Ning was stunned by his spontaneous suggestion, remaining silent for a long time without responding.
Ying Jing naturally took hold of her arm lightly. To him, it was an ordinary gesture, akin to the friendly intimacy he shared with classmates, roommates, or even his sister.
“...” Chu Ning’s expression was complex.
Ying Jing’s head seemed to radiate a small sun, his enthusiasm nearly self-combusting. He teased her. “What, are you scared of riding a shared bike? You were much cooler the last time you stopped me and handed me a thousand yuan.”
Chu Ning’s gender identity was thrown into question by his absurd choice of words.
Ying Jing tugged her along without further ado, pulling her toward the exit. “Come with me. The hot pot at Li Xiaoqiang’s shop is amazing. They have konjac, bamboo shoots, and kelp. Add some cilantro and chili oil, and you’ll love it!”
Her coat nearly torn off by this little rascal, Chu Ning sighed inwardly: Tsk. This was clearly a little charlatan—
He was just craving food and using her as an excuse to satisfy his appetite!
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