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“Did you steal the key?” Chu Ning’s first reaction.
Ying Jing turned around and shushed her with a “Shh, shh, shh!”
It wasn’t stolen—well, not in the way she implied. The key was given to him by Li Zhoushan when he agreed to join this project last time, for convenient access to conduct experiments. Later, after losing the competition, their unresolved conflict lingered between the old and the young.
Ying Jing didn’t care about who made the first move—it was a matter of pride.
The door opened, and contrary to expectations, it wasn’t completely dark inside. Many instruments had power indicator lights on, and various metrics flickered across LCD screens. Chu Ning understood now—he had brought her here for an on-site inspection.
Ying Jing quickly turned on a light, instantly brightening the room. The laboratory exuded a high-tech metallic vibe, filled with strange-looking equipment that Chu Ning had never seen before. But Ying Jing treated them like old friends, enthusiastically introducing each one.
“These are torque multipliers of various models—they can output different levels of assistance.” He bent down and spoke to the row of cold metal objects as if greeting them: “Hello, this is President Ning. She might become your investor, so put on a good show!”
Chu Ning: “...” Investors don’t appreciate being teased like that.
“This is the aerospace engine testing platform,” he said, pointing to a large contraption. To Chu Ning, it looked like a labyrinth of countless parts, gears, and wires. But Ying Jing was clearly fascinated, pointing out various sections with his finger. “This is the intake duct, where air is pressurized and sent through here.” He drew an imaginary circle around a specific area. “And this is the combustion chamber.”
Chu Ning responded with a polite “Oh.” Not wanting to let the atmosphere go cold, she asked, “What exactly does the combustion chamber burn?”
Ying Jing straightened up, leaned closer, and whispered conspiratorially, “This is top-secret information—I’ve never told anyone. You must keep it confidential. This combustion chamber… burns bodies. You know the hospital next to our school? Unclaimed bodies from the morgue are sent here, tossed in, burned with a pfft-pfft , and then delivered to Brother Qiang’s hot pot shop as ingredients.”
Chu Ning smacked his shoulder. “You’re fooling with me!”
Ying Jing laughed warmly. “You said I sounded like I was reciting a textbook during my introduction, so I thought you might not understand. I added some jokes to lighten things up.” After a pause, he continued, “Besides, it also helps me feel less nervous.”
In the vast laboratory, only the instrument panels emitted a faint glow. A subtle sense of loss tinged Ying Jing’s demeanor, but he quickly rallied himself and moved on to another area. “This is the main bearing. Whether or not the engine is short-lived depends entirely on its performance.”
It was clear that Ying Jing was trying his best to explain these complex abstract devices in simple terms. He was cautious, carefully observing Chu Ning’s expressions after every sentence.
If she frowned, Ying Jing would pause, looking pitifully at her. “Did you not understand?”
If her gaze followed his finger, Ying Jing would beam with joy—she was paying attention!
Aerospace technology research was incredibly intricate, involving numerous components. After finishing his explanations, Ying Jing opened his laptop and said, “Isn’t this insane? How could there be such a foul-smelling engine? If even one step goes wrong, all subsequent efforts will be wasted.”
He licked the corner of his lips and asked, “This is precisely what worries you, isn’t it?”
Chu Ning nodded, gesturing for him to continue.
The computer screen lit up, and Ying Jing entered the program. “This is the content from the project proposal I gave you. Simulation modeling technology allows us to build all design assumptions through one-dimensional simulations during the R&D process. It saves actual costs and predicts feasibility.”
He deliberately slowed his speech, but Chu Ning still found it somewhat challenging to follow.
“In simple terms, the essence of this technology is... freeloading.”
“...” Well, that explanation was certainly straightforward.
Ying Jing asked, “Is this technology awesome or what?”
Chu Ning hummed affirmatively. “Its forward-thinking approach aligns with trends.”
Receiving affirmation, Ying Jing clasped his hands together in excitement. “Then, beautiful President Ning, could you consider... me?”
In the darkness, blood rushed to his face, making his eyes sparkle like they were embedded with tiny diamonds.
Chu Ning stared at him for a few seconds, then raised her chin and calmly asked, “If you were me...”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“A large and complex project isn’t as simple as investing tens or hundreds of thousands. The timeline is long, and the return period is unpredictable. I might pour money into it and end up with nothing—would you do it if you were in my shoes?”
Ying Jing swallowed nervously, feeling a bit unnerved under her gaze, but still answered confidently, “Yes.”
Chu Ning asked, “Why?”
Ying Jing took a deep breath and explained, “Do you know that there are only three countries in the world that truly possess world-class engine manufacturing technology? This is a genuinely monopolized industry. We have to buy technology from others—not to mention the cost—but if they’re unhappy, they can simply stop selling. And forget about the core technologies used in military aviation.”
That wasn’t just capital—it was a nation’s core strategic resource.
At this moment, Ying Jing quickly transitioned from his earlier nervousness and impatience. This wasn’t rote memorization or a pre-prepared script. Like sliding down a slide, once he sat on it, inertia carried him forward uncontrollably.
“...So, if I were you, I would definitely do it.” He ended with a brilliant and passionate flourish.
Chu Ning’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Ying Jing basked in satisfaction, his lashes fluttering along with hers.
“Sit down.” Chu Ning pressed his shoulder onto the stool, and Ying Jing obediently complied.
She stepped back two paces, crossed her arms, and calmly expressed her opinion. “I deeply admire your professionalism and enthusiastic courage.”
“...” Damn, this doesn’t sound good.
Sure enough, she continued, “However, the risk associated with this technology exceeds my tolerance level. Therefore, I won’t consider including it.”
Chu Ning’s decision was firm, leaving no room for hope.
Darkness and silence amplified human senses, intensifying the impact on the brain. Her voice was so clear that even punctuation marks seemed audible—utterly decisive without any hesitation.
Ying Jing’s lips parted slightly, his breath ragged, yet not a single word escaped his mouth.
“You’re a serious person,” Chu Ning said sincerely. “You’ll have a bright future ahead of you.”
She pulled out another 200 yuan from her bag and placed it on the table in a businesslike manner. “You’re still in school. You treated me to dinner, and I appreciate the gesture, but the money should come from me.”
Her tone was earnest, but to Ying Jing, it felt like a dagger to the heart.
“Hey...” His voice was barely audible.
Chu Ning didn’t want to waste more time. “I have something else to do. I’ll leave first.”
The soft clicking of her high heels echoed. Unable to help himself, Ying Jing stood up and raised his voice. “Hey, hey, hey!”
Chu Ning didn’t turn around.
He grew anxious, frustration and regret churning within him, turning into a lump in his throat. He was angry but didn’t know what to say. Grabbing the 200 yuan, he shouted toward her retreating figure, “Too much! I still owe you 88 yuan!”
The night breeze rushed in through the doorway, carrying a faint trace of her lingering fragrance. Ying Jing sniffed lightly, feeling even emptier inside.
Thus, this matter that had dragged on for nearly half a month officially came to an end.
Ying Jing was in a terrible mood, everything he did felt heavy and dull.
Qi Yu suspected several times, “Did you break up with someone?”
Not mentioning it would have been fine, but Ying Jing immediately thought of Chu Ning, the ruthless hot pot killer.
Qi Yu, oblivious to the tension, added fuel to the fire. “By the way, what about the revised project proposal you worked on last time? Any progress?”
“...” Ying Jing paused briefly, then shook his head. “It’s over.”
As he walked out of the dormitory, his figure gradually disappeared into the distance,
Qi Yu couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he clearly sensed that something was off with this comrade.
Indeed, Ying Jing had fallen into a state of lifelessness. Unlike the first rejection, which ignited direct and outward anger, this time it was like the drizzle after a spring thunderstorm—continuous, unending, damp, and oppressive.
The breaking point came two weeks later during an unusual basketball game. Its unusualness stemmed from the fact that Ying Jing got into a fight.
The opposing guard happened to be from the flight design major—a familiar nemesis. During a jump ball, the opponent maliciously fouled, but the referee didn’t blow the whistle. Ying Jing, furious, immediately raised his hand in protest. “He fouled! Why didn’t you call it?”
At that moment, most of the spectators were students from the opponent’s major, and a chorus of boos erupted.
Talk about adding fuel to the fire! Ying Jing slammed the ball onto the ground and grabbed the opponent’s collar. “Are you even playing fair?!”
Things spiraled out of control from there.
Ying Jing fully unleashed his hidden identity as an amateur basketball player—or perhaps his pent-up frustrations found an outlet. This fight was unrestrained, cathartic, and satisfying.
The chaotic afternoon unfolded from the basketball court to the disciplinary office. He beat the other person thoroughly but was also scolded by the department head. Fortunately, thanks to his consistent top academic performance, the director couldn’t bring himself to be too harsh. After a perfunctory lecture, he was let go.
“Try to endure it. This medicine will sting a bit.” Back in the dormitory, a group gathered around him.
Ying Jing winced. “It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!!”
“...I haven’t even started yet.”
Everyone burst into laughter, then began chatting animatedly:
“I didn’t expect you to have trained. Wasn’t that called Mantis Fist?” Someone mimicked the move.
Ying Jing snorted. “That’s called ‘Dad Teaching a Lesson.’“
“We’ve always disliked the design department. You avenged us—good job.”
Applause erupted.
Just as the word “pride” was halfway written on Ying Jing’s face, BANG! The dormitory door flew open, slamming against the wall with a loud thud.
Everyone turned around to see a beautiful woman with long hair standing frostily at the door. She scanned the room, then locked her gaze on the target. Ying Jing’s hairs stood on end, his eyes blinking rapidly.
The beauty looked ready to devour someone. She rolled up her sleeves, kicked aside a trash can blocking her path, planted her hands on her hips, and strode toward him.
Ying Jing frantically squirmed on his tiny stool, trying to avoid her. Realizing escape was impossible, he closed his eyes and felt his ear being yanked forcefully.
“Ouch, it hurts, it hurts!”
“Don’t dodge!”
Ying Jing froze obediently, whimpering pathetically, “...Sis.”
Yingchen kicked his stool away. “When I arrived earlier, I saw the garbage truck passing by. Why didn’t it take you with it? Huh?”
Ying Jing crouched, covering his head, and surrendered with raised hands.
Yingchen grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him like a corpse, making him slide across the floor. Ying Jing stubbornly clung to the doorframe with five fingers, then three, then one, until a wail escaped—”Ah, help!”
After the whirlwind passed, the dormitory fell silent, littered with feathers.
Everyone in the room was stunned.
Ying Jing was shoved into the car and buckled in. Yingchen walked around to the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut. She glared at him. “Do you not want to graduate anymore?!”
Ying Jing chuckled sheepishly.
“Stop laughing.” Yingchen demanded, “Why did you fight again?”
“Referee bias.”
“Bias your head.”
“...” Ying Jing muttered softly, “Why is everyone so harsh?”
The profound “everyone” didn’t make Yingchen think twice. She had traveled from Xingcheng that morning for work and was too tired to decipher teenage angst. Turning the steering wheel, she warned, “Watch how I deal with you.”
Before dealing with him, she took him to Wangfujing for dinner, ordering a table full of meat to express sisterly love. Ying Jing, however, felt uneasy, sensing trouble.
“Next year, you’ll intern in the first half and graduate in the second. Tell me, what’s your plan?” Yingchen cut straight to the chase.
“Just... take it step by step. There’s still half a year left. Why rush?” Ying Jing’s sentiment was sincere, representing the mindset of many peers.
“This morning, Dad told me he arranged an internship for you at J-Hang’s Shenyang branch. You’ll start during your internship period.”
“No way.” Ying Jing refused outright. Such state-owned enterprises were essentially retirement homes.
“What, are you planning to pursue graduate studies?”
“No.” Ying Jing thought studying was a bottomless pit—he feared boredom.
“Then behave yourself.” Yingchen’s tone grew stern and serious as she lectured. “If you’ve developed the bad habit of having high expectations but low abilities, ask yourself if you have the skills to back it up.”
The siblings were seven years apart, and their bond had always been strong. Ying Jing trusted her implicitly. Though her words stung, he listened. In silence, he poked at the pig’s trotters in his bowl with chopsticks.
“It hasn’t been long, and you’ve already gotten into two fights. If I’d known you had this hobby, I should’ve sent you to Shaolin Temple. Tuition would’ve been cheaper, and haircuts free.”
Instinctively, Ying Jing reached up to touch his thick black hair.
Yingchen laughed at his action, her expression softening.
Ying Jing knew his sister was worried about him, and the gloom that had weighed on him for days lifted significantly. He got up, crossed the dining table, and sat next to Yingchen. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he burrowed close like a lice-infested puppy. With the floodgates open, he poured out his recent sorrows.
“...That’s what happened. She looks down on me... She even disdains the hot pot I treated her to, refusing to let me pay back the 200 yuan... First, she rejected me, then tricked me into a second meeting... Treats me like a dog... Wasted such a pretty face... Ah, sis, I’m so frustrated!”
Yingchen pushed his head away. “She’s right.”
Ying Jing leaned in again, clinging to her. “How can you side with her?!”
“Regardless of the project size, thorough consideration and understanding beforehand is wise and reasonable.” Yingchen scolded, “You’re petty and blaming others.”
Ying Jing raised his fists dramatically, pounding his head while providing sound effects. “—Ah, I’m dead.”
“...”
After his dramatic performance, he calmed down, utterly dejected. Resting his head on his sister’s shoulder, he murmured softly,
“I’ve never experienced such a blow. It’s unbearable, really.”
________________________________________
The restaurant had two floors, with a piano performance in the central hall. On the second floor, a figure leaned against the railing.
“What are you looking at?” Guan Yu approached. “Don’t keep President Xu waiting.”
Chu Ning responded, “Coming,” but her eyes remained fixed on something, unmoving.
Guan Yu followed her gaze and smirked. “Oh, showing affection, huh?” She nudged Chu Ning teasingly. “Jealous?”
Chu Ning didn’t respond.
Downstairs, Ying Jing, like a little milk puppy, nestled against a woman’s shoulder. Their intimacy radiated ease and naturalness.
The soft strains of the piano drifted upward.
Chu Ning thought... So he has this preference, liking older women, huh.
Tsk, tsk, tsk—how bold.
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