#27: Confession

The place Ying Chen arranged to meet Chu Ning was a café near the company.

To be honest, Chu Ning was quite curious about this sister who frequently appeared in Ying Jing’s stories.

Just from that phone call earlier, she had been concise, “I need to talk to you.”

Not “I want to” or “I hope to,” but “I need to.”

After Chu Ning agreed and set a time with her, Ying Chen said, “Anytime is fine. I’m already downstairs at your company.”

Chu Ning put on her coat to go. After thinking for a moment, she returned to pick a scarf.

At this hour, there were very few people in the café. Chu Ning immediately recognized Ying Chen in the corner.

It wasn’t that she and Ying Jing looked alike, but the brother and sister shared a highly similar disposition. Today, Ying Chen wore a white thin down jacket and light makeup, appearing amiable and calm.

Chu Ning walked over and said, “Hello.”

Ying Chen raised her eyes, quickly identifying the person’s identity, and nodded, “Hello, I’m Ying Jing’s sister.”

Both women reached out their hands simultaneously for a brief shake.

Ying Chen signaled the waiter to come over and asked Chu Ning what she would like to drink.

“Lemonade.”

“Alright, two lemonades.”

The drinks arrived quickly. Ying Chen didn’t beat around the bush and directly said, “President Ning, today I’ve come because of my younger brother. It’s impolite to disturb you, and I apologize.”

Chu Ning was polite too, “It’s fine.”

Ying Chen’s opening remarks were very friendly, saying, “My younger brother has always been interested in models and such since he was young. His room, apart from a bed and a desk, is filled entirely with airplane and tank models.”

It wasn’t hard to imagine; it was probably a younger version of Feng Ziyang.

Chu Ning politely smiled, “Then his current major suits him well. That’s good.”

“He made a mistake in the college entrance exam.”

“Hmm?” Chu Ning’s expression remained unchanged, but she was slightly surprised internally. Even getting into C University was considered a mistake?

“He aimed for Tsinghua University in the college entrance exam.”

“...”

“My younger brother has a nice personality, looks decent, and is more meticulous than girls. He appears to be an all-around good youth.” Ying Chen knew her brother well and didn’t mind revealing his flaws in front of others, “But in fact, he is full of pride, rarely argues with others, gives people face, and knows how to save face for himself. But once he turns his back, he holds a grudge and can stubbornly compete with you until the end.”

By this point, Ying Chen’s expression changed slightly, probably recalling too many misdeeds.

“The most annoying thing about him is when he gets into arguments.” Ying Chen’s frown gradually relaxed, her tone calm, “He will suffer losses.”

Chu Ning didn’t speak, waiting for her main point.

“From what I understand, he still has many issues—lack of self-discipline, lack of maturity, and not knowing how to plan reasonably.”

Chu Ning nodded, indicating she was listening, “Go on.”

Ying Chen said, “He missed two very important exams yesterday, which will affect his graduation.”

Chu Ning remained calm as usual.

“He said he went to check materials, so he missed the exams. This isn’t the key point; the key is that he completely forgot he had exams.” Ying Chen got straight to the point, becoming increasingly direct, “He is first and foremost a university student, then a project participant. Not distinguishing priorities easily shakes one’s mindset and leads to neglecting other things.”

Chu Ning moved her lips, probably wanting to explain, but was interrupted by Ying Chen, “Listen to me first.”

“He isn’t strong enough yet, of course, this can’t be rushed—it takes time, experience, practice, and self-reflection.” Ying Chen clearly expressed her final viewpoint, “President Ning, I don’t oppose my younger brother starting a business as a student, but I hope he goes through a gradual process.”

Ying Chen’s train of thought was extremely clear, logical, and well-constructed. She was the guiding figure in the dominant position.

She looked at Chu Ning, her gaze calm and firm.

This sister’s soft tactics were much more formidable than that straightforward little guy.

Chu Ning listened attentively, then asked, “Does Ying Jing know you’re coming to see me today?”

“Whether he knows or not, I would have come anyway.”

“I haven’t put much pressure on him. All timelines and progress are according to the contract agreement. I understand your thoughts, but as the client, reasonable requests aren’t excessive.”

Chu Ning spoke briefly, her expression calm, discussing business formally.

Ying Chen: “I understand. So I said, it’s my younger brother who isn’t good enough. His sincerity is rare and valuable, but it also makes him rash and prone to mistakes.”

This statement hit the nail on the head.

Chu Ning asked, “So you hope I abandon the project?”

After speaking, complete silence fell between the two women.

The confrontation between women is subtle, no need for weapons or verbal battles. All the smoke and fire are hidden beneath a calm surface. Both speak frankly and act practically, without beating around the bush, showing another level of mutual understanding.

Ying Chen was also candid, “I don’t hope you give up on Xiao Jing. I beg you to guide him, enlighten him. You are work partners, and this identity is very ceremonial. This is also his first step into society; he will trust the first comrade-in-arms he fights alongside. This trust stems from his inner passion and loyalty.”

Chu Ning was startled.

The expression of these words was truly unexpected.

“Do you understand your younger brother so well?”

Ying Chen smiled lightly, “It has nothing to do with understanding.”

“Hmm?”

“Because the path he is walking now, I have experienced it.” Ying Chen said, “After graduation, my first job, I met my mentor, who was also my leader. He had a rare quality, being flexible yet firm. Whether it was life or work, he handled things with great measure.”

Ying Chen continued, “He transformed me from an inexperienced young person into someone who can just barely manage. A teacher and a friend, I will thank him for life.”

Such intimate conversations easily ease the atmosphere and bring people closer.

At this point, Ying Chen was very relaxed. She leaned casually against the chair back, one hand resting on the table, her nails painted in a translucent light pink, matching Chu Ning’s.

There was meaning behind her words, and the purpose was also clear—to be a mentor and friend or a stubborn and harsh boss. To be a role model that Ying Jing remembers fondly or to be a negative example that only leaves bad impressions.

Chu Ning understood well.

She thought for a moment, then smiled it off,

“Alright.”

Her purpose was achieved, but Ying Chen remained calm, controlling her emotions appropriately. She sipped her lemonade leisurely, chatting casually, “A bit sour.”

“Mm, the lemonade here isn’t very good. Next time, try mocha.”

Ying Chen put down the glass, extended her right hand across the table, “Thank you.”

A double entendre.

Chu Ning naturally shook hands, “You’re welcome.”

Ying Chen came to Beijing today on a tight schedule. If this kid weren’t her younger brother, she wouldn’t bother.

These days, being a sister is even more exhausting than being a mother.

Carrying frustration and reflections, Ying Chen returned to Xingcheng overnight.

The next day, before the morning alarm rang, she was woken up by a phone call. Ying Chen was sleeping soundly, and Lì Kūn whispered in her ear, “It’s Xiao Jing, answer it?”

“Mm.” She mumbled, and Lì Kūn understood.

Answering the call, the voice on the other end exploded, “Sis, did you go see her?!”

Not only Ying Chen, even Lì Kūn was startled by the commotion. Realizing it, he frowned slightly, his voice displeased, “Lower your voice, you scared your sister.”

Ying Chen woke up halfway from her daze, took the phone, and her first words were hoarse, “Competing with loud voices, huh? Want an award?” Her second sentence regained normalcy, “Yes, I went to see her. Any problem?”

Ying Jing’s emotions were agitated, “How could you go see her?! Did you criticize me thoroughly?!” He suddenly became dispirited, “Ah, she doesn’t feel anything towards me originally, and now her impression of me is worse.”

Ying Chen was sharp, instantly catching the keyword, asking sinisterly, “What nonsense are you talking about? Isn’t it normal that she doesn’t feel anything towards you? What kind of feelings do you want?”

No imagined emotional upheaval, not even half a sentence of excited rebuttal.

Silence for a long time, Ying Jing lost interest, “Forget it, you wouldn’t understand.”

“...” The brain knot in the early morning, no time to think carefully. Ying Chen: “Did she tell you?”

“Of course. She also told me not to rush, gave me plenty of time, told me to study hard, and not delay graduation—she said all this was what you told her to say.”

Ying Chen closed her eyes, feeling resentful inside. That woman was really tough to deal with, redirecting all conflicts back to her, wasn’t this sabotaging sibling relationships? And this idiotic younger brother, simply aiding the enemy.

“Are you colluding together!” Ying Chen couldn’t help but sigh.

“You’re the one with ulterior motives!” Ying Jing immediately rebutted.

Done for, done for. His allegiance shifted outward, this brother was wasted.

Just as Ying Chen was preparing to deliver some heartfelt advice, Ying Jing suddenly lowered his voice, “Alright, sis. I know you mean well. Really, I know. I promise, it won’t happen again.”

“Hmm?” Ying Chen didn’t understand for a moment.

“I won’t miss exams anymore, I’ll allocate my time reasonably, and won’t make the same mistake again.”

Relieved, this pretty boy hadn’t been loved in vain.

Barely started to feel smug, Ying Jing muttered to himself, “Mm! Won’t disappoint you.”

You?

Plural??

Ying Chen instinctively felt his promise was made to that “you.”

The other half of her sleepiness woke up.

Ying Chen sat up on the bed. In the quiet morning, her voice sounded especially sharp and calm.

“Xiao Jing.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you like her?”

“...”

No response for a long time, but the increasingly delicate breathing on the phone subtly implied it.

Finally, he said, “What? Can’t I?”

At this moment, Ying Jing’s voice was gentle and composed, like the first ray of sunlight in the morning, piercing through clouds and fog, brushing away the dusty answer hidden for a long time.

He confessed sincerely and boldly, “She is so charming, she deserves to be liked—anyway, I like her, it’s that simple.”