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Chu Ning, seeing him spaced out for half a day without moving, tapped the table in annoyance. “Can you change your habit of zoning out?”
Ying Jing played dead.
The thoughts in his mind were too overwhelming, like a brawl, buzzing in his ears.
After a while, “...Huh? You’re talking to me? What did you say?”
Chu Ning dreaded this kind of silent treatment, her eyes displaying a warning line that said “I’m very dissatisfied with you.” When she looked at him, Ying Jing instinctively blanked out and stared back woodenly.
Chu Ning’s patience was almost at its limit.
Suddenly, he grabbed the coffee on the table, not caring that it was still steaming hot, and downed it in one gulp.
“...” Alright, alright, impressed.
Ying Jing stood up. “I have something to do, so I’ll leave first.”
“Alright.”
He fled to pay the bill, then dashed off like a little tornado, nearly colliding with the glass door.
Chu Ning pinched the bridge of her nose. This guy... Tsk. Give him wings, and he could stir up trouble in heaven itself.
So restless.
On his way back to school, Ying Jing alternated between savoring her words “I’ll coax you” and berating himself for lacking self-control. His mood swung wildly between happiness and despair, driving him nearly mad.
It was a bright sunny day, the sunlight dazzling. Ying Jing unzipped his jacket, placed his hands on his waist, and reflected as he walked: Ahhh! Have I gone crazy?!
At the dormitory entrance, he coincidentally met several classmates coming out.
“Xiao Jing, wanna play basketball?” Two or three called to him.
Ying Jing stopped his inner turmoil.
Behind them, Zhou Yuan, holding a basketball, stepped far to the right to avoid him, looking away at the scenery.
Ying Jing quietly lowered his eyes and said, “You guys go ahead, I haven’t changed yet.”
“That’s no problem, just take off your jacket.” They all knew about the fallout between him and Zhou Yuan and kindly tried to mediate, urging, “Come on, come on, we’re short one person, let’s play half-court.”
Ying Jing glanced at Zhou Yuan again, remembering Chu Ning’s words, and steeled his resolve. He went over and proactively said, “Hey, can we play together?”
Zhou Yuan remained expressionless, only puffing out his chest higher and drifted away with the basketball.
“...” Ying Jing felt a headache coming on. All that talk about being broad-minded was a lie. Muttering to himself a few times, he still followed up thick-skinned.
With his addition, six people made two teams, and the half-court game became quite intense.
Ying Jing was tall and had good jumping ability. Even without basketball shoes, his regular sneakers didn’t put him at a disadvantage. His competitive spirit was quite pleasing to watch on the court.
“Pass it to me!” Ying Jing signaled to his teammate and started running.
“Thwack.” The ball whizzed past, landing steadily in his palm.
Two opponents surrounded him, preventing any breakthrough. Zhou Yuan glared at him menacingly. Already sturdy and robust, his arms spread wide like an eagle—goodness, he was like a wall of flesh.
Ying Jing helplessly dribbled the ball and said, “Aren’t you over it by now? Huh?”
Zhou Yuan’s round face wobbled left and right. “Who’s angry? You’re not worth my anger.”
“Alright, alright, I spoke too self-centeredly and hurt you—I apologize.”
“You think you’re some rich and handsome guy who needs to apologize, huh, hehehe.”
“...”
In the past, King Ying would have severed ties with him long ago.
But now, when his patience was about to break, Ying Jing would recall Chu Ning’s words—golden advice that was truly healing.
Ying Jing dribbled past a player, then jumped for a shot—
“Bang!”
A clean three-pointer!
“Great job!” Teammates gave him a thumbs-up.
This little devil still dared to show off. Zhou Yuan, annoyed, grabbed the rebound and wanted to make a quick play. As he passed the ball, Ying Jing appeared like lightning, extended his long arm, and intercepted the ball mid-air.
Zhou Yuan was furious, kicking the ball towards the basket: “Do you have to show off?!”
The ball, not having eyes, hit Ying Jing directly.
“Thud,” the sound of flesh echoed, making everyone gasp. Ying Jing’s head spun for two seconds, then he squatted down, covering his nose.
It was useless; blood seeped through his fingers, sliding down his hand and wrist.
“Xiao Jing!”
“So much blood, hurry to the infirmary!”
Zhou Yuan was also scared numb, muttering, “Why didn’t you dodge?”
Ying Jing waved at everyone, signaling he was fine. After enduring a moment of dizziness, he looked up, squatting on the ground and gazed at Zhou Yuan: “Are you over it now?”
“...” Zhou Yuan was utterly amazed by his antics. His heart was complex but still stubborn: “Idiot.”
“Yes, yes, consider me an idiot. An idiot’s words aren’t thought through. You, as a big man, shouldn’t hold grudges against an idiot. Forgive me, alright?”
Zhou Yuan really wanted to touch his forehead—is he running a fever?
Ying Jing, with a nosebleed, still managed to laugh, “Hehehe.”
“...”
“I didn’t deny your abilities, and I’m really glad you signed up. I realized my mistake—I shouldn’t have said those things about you, regardless of intent.” Ying Jing’s eyelashes fluttered, his gaze sincere:
“Class Monitor, I need you to join.”
Winter daylight fades early; before five o’clock, the sky was gentle, with faint clouds lingering.
After a game of basketball, even the sky seemed softer.
For some reason, at this moment, Zhou Yuan felt like crying.
Damn this idiot!
Ying Jing reached out his hand, fingers long and joints strong, “...Hey.”
“Hey yourself.” Zhou Yuan grumbled a bit but quickly extended his hand—
The two,
tightly clasped.
Of course, reconciliation wasn’t that easy. After treating Zhou Yuan to three rounds of skewers, the matter was finally settled.
“Holy crap, I’m broke! I’m really bankrupt!” Ying Jing counted the coins in his pocket: “One yuan, two yuan, two and a half... Damn, why couldn’t you eat less? You ordered twenty chicken feet, meat dishes are expensive!”
Zhou Yuan burped contentedly and scoffed, “If I don’t teach you a lesson, you won’t learn. By the way, how’s your recruitment going?”
“One more person, but there’s no suitable candidate for now. We’ll take it slow.”
“One more?” Zhou Yuan thought for a moment and said, “I didn’t tell you before, but Zhang Huaiyu also wants to join your team.”
“Her? Forget it.” Ying Jing shook his head.
“Look at you, old habits die hard. Her grades are excellent, and she’s meticulous. Having another girl isn’t a bad thing.” Zhou Yuan guessed his thoughts, “I know you want to avoid trouble, but if the girl doesn’t say anything, what’s a big man like you afraid of?”
Ying Jing remembered Chu Ning’s words—”I would find a way to retain talent.”
After hesitating for half a second, he didn’t say anything.
“I’ll ask her again. If she’s still interested, will you welcome her?”
For the first time in his life, Ying Jing understood the distinction between public and private matters, grasping the balance between emotions and rationality.
Nodding solemnly, “Welcome.”
And so, Ying Jing, Qi Yu, Zhou Yuan, freshman Gu Pengpeng, and Zhang Huaiyu formed a team. At their first meeting, everyone was a bit nervous. Though familiar faces, sitting around a table tied them together like a rope.
This sudden sense of responsibility was fresh, fiery, and also sacred.
The first item on the agenda was to determine a team name.
Everyone voiced their opinions.
“How about ‘Eagle Soaring’? Sounds powerful and aggressive!”
Boos: “Tsk!”
“What about ‘Red Carp, Green Carp, and Donkey Squad’?”
Silence for a few seconds as everyone silently repeated it.
“Ouch.” Zhang Huaiyu winced, “I bit my tongue.”
“Hahahaha!”
After the jokes, Qi Yu suggested, “How about using Xiao Jing’s initials, Y.J?”
Longer silence.
Zhou Yuan timidly raised his hand, “I feel... it’s a bit.”
Ying Jing glared at him, “Where am I?!”
Realizing belatedly, everyone burst into muffled laughter.
Quiet and steady Gu Pengpeng suddenly said, “S.Fly.”
All eyes turned to him.
“Scene, flying.” Gu Pengpeng explained, “Brave flight, creating beautiful scenery.”
It hit the mark, encapsulating Ying Jing’s name.
Everyone agreed, “Not bad!”
“More righteous than YJ. If we call it YJ, I’m afraid we’d get reported.”
Another wave of joyful laughter.
Embracing hope, flying onward—not just to admire the scenery but to explore new worlds.
S.Fly was born!
This excitement was indescribable, a new experience in Ying Jing’s twenty-something years of life.
And Ningjing Investments’ first tranche of funds soon arrived—a starting sum of 300,000 yuan. With immense enthusiasm, Ying Jing got to work earnestly and formally reported progress to Chu Ning:
“December 3rd, here’s the S.Fly member list. I’ve assigned startup preparations based on their respective majors, expected to be completed in five days.”
“December 5th, while preparing, I’ve submitted an application report to the school for laboratory use.”
“Holy crap, great news!! Old Man Li is willing to be our advisor!! He’s not ignoring me anymore!!”
A moment later, text messages beeped.
“Sorry, I’m too excited, but I’m really happy hahaha.”
And for every report, Chu Ning only replied briefly: “Good.”
She didn’t respond to anything else.
Thus, after three weeks, the preliminary preparations for building the simulation model, though bumpy, proceeded smoothly for the most part, with clarity emerging.
Ying Jing hadn’t failed to call Chu Ning, using reports as an excuse... though honestly, he didn’t know what he was doing.
Anyway, he just wanted to hear her voice.
But this steel warrior woman was cold and distant, always replying with “Good” or “Okay.”
What’s with that? Not a bit enthusiastic.
During this period, the members had also overcome the adjustment phase. Their floating hearts gradually settled, knowing what to do and how to proceed, forming a solid foundation. Before New Year’s Day, Ying Jing planned to treat everyone to dinner and karaoke, as a reward for their hard work.
He was thrilled—it was a perfect excuse. Thus, he confidently called Chu Ning.
Chu Ning’s tone was as usual, “Go ahead.”
Ying Jing suppressed his nervousness and said he wanted to invite her to dinner, emphasizing, “This is the team’s first gathering. I’m formally inviting you, Boss Ning. Are you coming?”
Chu Ning said, “I can’t come today; I have other plans.”
Ying Jing said, “It’s not company money; I’m paying myself.”
Chu Ning silently curved her lips, “Still not coming.”
Alas, so disheartening.
Just as Ying Jing was about to hang up, Chu Ning suddenly asked, “Where did you decide to meet?”
“Wan Teng Chun.”
Chu Ning set down her phone, thinking, how coincidental.
Feng Ziyang served her a slice of boiled beef. “What’s wrong? Another engagement?”
“A student.” Chu Ning said, “You should remember him. Last time you took me to see the school competition—the one flying the plane.”
Feng Ziyang recalled, “I remember. What? Are you two hooking up?”
“I invested in his project.” Chu Ning said calmly.
Feng Ziyang spat out his water, expression alarmed, “You? Investing? In aviation?”
Chu Ning frowned, “Can you give me some support and encouragement?”
Feng Ziyang was laughing his ass off, clapping his hands, “Series of a lifetime, impressive.”
Chu Ning sighed slightly, “I’m not entirely confident either.”
No need for Feng Ziyang to explain; investing in this industry required courage and boldness and would face a series of pressures.
“Those old foxes in the company must have opposed it plenty, right?” Feng Ziyang added another slice of meat to her bowl.
“For now, it’s manageable. Let’s see how the first phase goes.” Chu Ning sipped some black chicken soup and asked, “How are you doing lately?”
“Yangyang and I are fighting a lot,” Feng Ziyang was also troubled. His beloved had become increasingly suspicious, often throwing tantrums.
“She wants to get married.”
“After being with you for so long, it’s normal for a girl to have such thoughts.”
“I know, I owe her.” Feng Ziyang was also helpless, “I’ll try.”
The twisted degree of Feng family matched Zhao Mingchuan’s. The road ahead was long and winding.
Both lost in thought, they ate for a while. Feeling guilty, Feng Ziyang said, “Thanks, Ning’er, sorry for putting you through this. If you meet someone you like, don’t hesitate. Just give me a hint, and I’ll immediately solve this fake boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.”
“It’s okay.” Chu Ning said, “Take your time.”
This was Wan Teng Chun’s flagship store, combining dining and entertainment. Feng Ziyang had an important client flying in from Hangzhou that day. After calculating the timing, the meal would end just as the driver delivered the client. The tea room had Feng Ziyang’s VIP suite, so he brought Chu Ning along upstairs.
At this moment, Ying Jing sent her a WeChat message: “We’re here. If you want to come, you’re always welcome.”
Then he sent a location, “Room xxx on the first floor.”
What a persistent little bee.
Chu Ning held her phone and suddenly called Feng Ziyang, “Help me settle the bill.”
“Huh?”
“A friend.” Chu Ning glossed over it, “They’re eating here too.”
Ying Jing’s side was lively with the group feast. Everyone talked passionately about dreams, beer bottles toppled over several times, and the meal lasted an hour. When Ying Jing went to pay the bill, he was stunned to learn,
“What?! Someone already paid?!”
His head buzzed with question marks and exclamation points. Thinking maybe someone paid by mistake?
Turning around, he saw the elevator doors open nearby. A group of people chatted happily as they exited. Chu Ning stood in the middle. When the doors opened, Feng Ziyang gallantly held the elevator door and let Chu Ning exit first.
Chu Ning’s makeup today was fresh, nearly bare-faced. She touched up a bit, her lips lightly painted with sun-kissed color. Feng Ziyang said something that made her smile brightly. Standing together, they looked so well-matched.
Ying Jing’s gaze stuck like 502 glue. That handsome older man looked familiar. Who was he? What were they doing together? Why were they laughing so happily?
Four piercing questions rang an alarm in his heart.
Feng Ziyang still had to accompany the client to another venue. Chu Ning didn’t participate and prepared to leave on her own. After seeing them off, she returned to fetch her car. Ying Jing stealthily emerged from behind a pillar, “...You finished eating?”
Chu Ning was startled, then exasperated upon recognizing him, “...”
Ying Jing rubbed his face, then perked up, “We’re still eating. Do you want to come and eat something?”
Eat my ass, the bill was already paid.
“You said you had plans tonight—eating with friends, right?” Ying Jing switched to a fawning smile, “I happened to see you, but didn’t dare interrupt your conversation. So I’m greeting you now.”
Chu Ning nodded, “Yes, with a friend.”
“What kind of friend? A close friend?”
“...”
“I didn’t mean anything. Seeing you laugh so happily, he must be a humorous person.” Ying Jing flattered Feng Ziyang again, “He must be really good at telling jokes.”
A breeze blew, and Chu Ning smoothed her hair, “Yes, quite humorous.”
Silence ensued.
She walked forward, and Ying Jing followed.
As if his soul had suddenly awakened, he became talkative: “Do you know the story of Cinderella?”
Chu Ning questioned, “Hmm?”
“Let me tell you. Once upon a time, there was a white girl who fell into a mud pit while walking and turned into Cinderella hahaha, isn’t it funny?”
“...” Chu Ning felt a headache coming on.
“Here’s another one. A taxi driver asked a passenger, ‘Do you listen to music?’ The passenger said, ‘Yes,’ so the driver sang to her all the way hahaha.”
Ying Jing observed Chu Ning, then his smile gradually faded, softly asking, “Why aren’t you laughing?”
She laughed so happily in the elevator with others.
Chu Ning: “Your laughter is funnier than the jokes.”
“...” Ouch, cutting deep.
Like being provoked, Ying Jing rallied his spirits. Like a clingy puppy, he followed Chu Ning step by step, eventually stopping her altogether.
Chu Ning was about to burst into laughter, “Alright, alright, I won’t leave. Go on with your jokes.”
The giant storefront sign illuminated the night brilliantly. Ying Jing drank wine tonight, his eyes brighter than the light. He looked at Chu Ning, his breath a little ragged, and said, “I’ll tell you a secret.”
“Mm, I’m listening.” Chu Ning relaxed.
Ying Jing beckoned her closer, and Chu Ning cooperatively leaned her ear toward him.
Very softly, he whispered, “...I have a tattoo.”
Chu Ning was genuinely curious, “Really? What did you get?”
Ying Jing swallowed, leaning very close. Mixed with the night breeze, his voice was unexpectedly gentle:
“It’s a... Peppa Pig.”
Even Chu Ning’s composure broke at this point. Her brows and eyes fully lit up with laughter, her eye contours elongated like swallows’ tails.
When she smiled, Ying Jing felt reassured.
OK, OK.
He proudly thought to himself, see, I can make you happy too! It’s not just him who can!
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