#29: Confession

Ying Jing’s eyes were red like a rabbit’s. Chu Ning was only momentarily distracted, quickly regaining her composure.

What kind of behavior was this!

So many people were watching—those inside and outside the circle, acquaintances and strangers alike, some amused and others deep in thought. Those who didn’t know might think some abandoned ex-lover had come to confront her.

Chu Ning decisively pulled her hand back.

Ying Jing’s palm was empty, and his heart sank along with it.

He turned to look at her, the disappointment in his eyes turning into despair.

He was like a blank sheet of paper, unblemished and unable to hide his emotions.

Chu Ning’s head began to ache. She softly said, “Wait for me outside; I’ll come find you later.”

Without hearing the rest, Ying Jing turned and walked away.

Chu Ning apologized to Wei Qilin, who smirked, saying, “Go ahead, I understand.”

“...” These words didn’t sound good. Chu Ning had no time to think deeply and followed him out.

Ying Jing stood outside the banquet hall. He was also dressed formally today—a simple yet elegant style, wearing a white shirt with amber-colored collar buttons on each side. Under the light, they shone with discreet refinement, a deep sky blue. Expensive and tasteful.

Perhaps due to his formal attire, he stood tall in the darkness like a poplar tree.

Especially now, his gloomy appearance made him seem less youthful.

Chu Ning took two quick steps towards him and asked, “What madness are you up to now?”

The situation was sudden, and his actions were unpredictable. She was genuinely angry, so her tone wasn’t gentle.

Ying Jing looked directly at her, bluntly saying, “You’re investing in another project.”

Chu Ning didn’t deny it: “Yes, I am considering it.”

Ying Jing clenched his fists, “Why!”

“Why?” Chu Ning frowned, “Why must there be so many whys? If I think it’s suitable, I’ll invest. It’s as simple as that.”

Her attitude was too rigid, her tone devoid of any fluctuations. Her clarity and self-discipline made Ying Jing feel even more disheartened.

There was one question he hadn’t asked.

If something is suitable, you invest.

Then does that mean unsuitable things should be abandoned?

This suspicion left him feeling weak, as if stepping into a swamp. He dared not ask, just as he dared not step hard on the ground. Afraid of sinking, afraid of never having another chance.

Chu Ning didn’t think she had done anything wrong. Her perspective was calm and rational, “Any decision has to go through company discussions. It’s not something I can decide alone, but initial contacts and understanding are normal procedures.”

She aimed to tell Ying Jing that in business, what matters isn’t personal feelings but official dealings.

“Liar.”

Chu Ning fell silent, raising her eyes, “What did you say?”

Ying Jing’s gaze lost its warmth, staring directly at her: “You liar.”

Chu Ning’s entire demeanor turned icy, “What have I lied about?”

Ying Jing’s mind was full of images from earlier in the banquet, where Chu Ning warmly smiled at the new energy vehicle team.

He didn’t dare voice his suspicions, instead using another excuse angrily: “I called you and you said you were on a business trip! What about now?!”

Chu Ning flared up, asking, “What does it have to do with you?!”

This overwhelming response shattered Ying Jing’s spirit.

He became dazed, then lowered his head, muttering almost inaudibly: “Right, it has nothing to do with me. Why would you tell me what you’re doing or consider my feelings… You don’t care about me at all.”

These words struck straight at Chu Ning’s heart.

Some intuition kept circling in her mind, endlessly.

She sensed something was amiss, even vaguely guessing something, but hadn’t fully understood. Before she could figure it out, Ying Jing had already turned and gone back into the banquet hall.

His figure resolutely blended into the dazzling lights.

Chu Ning wanted to call him back, but a gust of wind seemed to cool her down, so she tightly closed her lips and remained silent.

Ying Jing persisted until the end of the banquet.

Li Zhoushan, unaware of the earlier incident, questioned where he had disappeared to.

Ying Jing claimed he had diarrhea.

And with that, the matter was dropped.

At this banquet, various connections were present. It was clear that the new energy vehicle team was tonight’s darling. They had just won a world-class competition, naturally receiving the host’s attention. They were arranged to give speeches and introduced to a group of investors. A few photos were taken, edited, and tomorrow they would surely be trending on Weibo.

This was the halo brought by industry attention.

Realistic and brutal.

Li Zhoushan was a serious scientific revolutionary. Such social events were almost non-existent for him. The industry he devoted his life to was dull and lacked passionate promotion. His own qualifications and fame weren’t sufficient either. Bringing Ying Jing along was like a poor father-and-son duo setting up a spring pancake stall in the palace.

They were completely ignored.

Ying Jing felt stifled, retreating to a spot by the window alone.

Instinctively, he searched the entire venue for Chu Ning. Not seeing her, he felt renewed anger—why did he always think of her!

This tangled and complex emotion was like being tossed into a frying pan, oil-simmering and deep-frying him. Ying Jing was in immense discomfort.

Until a male voice pulled him back, “Hello.”

Ying Jing turned his head, surprised to see the person, “Mr. Tang?”

Tang Yao smiled and nodded, “Do you remember me?”

“Of course. Last time, thank you for letting us use your lab.” Ying Jing politely extended his hand to shake.

Tang Yao was equally courteous, “It’s nothing. It’s not easy for students to start businesses.”

Ying Jing’s lips curved slightly. The words “not easy” tugged at his heartstrings, filling him with melancholy.

“This is my business card.” Tang Yao seemed well-prepared, handing over a black embossed card. Its content was very concise: two lines. The first line read his title: Executive Director of Mingyao Innovation - Tang Yao.

The second line was his phone number.

In general business interactions, someone of his status would only provide a symbolic landline number.

After Ying Jing accepted it, Tang Yao smiled, “If you need help in the future, feel free to contact me.”

With that, he briskly walked away.

Ying Jing examined the card repeatedly, subtly sensing the olive branch extended in his words.

This thought quickly passed as he saw Chu Ning.

A few meters away, she stood with a group of people. The men around her were all handsome elites. She wore a white dress, her waist cinched delicately. A thin chain around her neck added elegance to her already snow-like skin.

She smiled so beautifully, effortlessly capturing everyone’s attention.

He suddenly realized that what had happened earlier couldn’t possibly affect her.

Watching from afar, Ying Jing’s face was filled with loneliness.

Before the banquet ended, Ying Jing was stopped by his high school senior, “Xiao Jing, we’re going to grab some late-night snacks later. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other; let’s catch up.”

The senior was Zhou Ming. His new energy team had stolen the show tonight. Two grades above Ying Jing, currently pursuing his master’s degree, he had shown exceptional talent early on. He started projects independently during his undergraduate years and had already made a name for himself in the industry at a young age.

Ying Jing’s high school was famous nationwide, producing many talents. But those honored in the school’s centennial celebration were few and far between.

Zhou Ming was one of them.

During high school, Ying Jing participated in a provincial science and technology competition where Zhou Ming was the team leader. They got along well, but their contact dwindled after Zhou Ming went to university.

Meeting an old acquaintance in a distant land, Zhou Ming was especially enthusiastic, repeating several times, “You can’t leave!”

After the event ended, they discovered that the number of people going for late-night snacks was... quite large.

Wei Qilin hosted the gathering; his intention to collaborate was obvious, and he appeared extremely warm and welcoming. He was also one of Ningjing Investment’s investors and intended for Chu Ning to get involved in this project.

With extensive connections came a larger crowd. In the end, six cars drove out of the venue together.

Ying Jing and Chu Ning didn’t even share a ride. When they met earlier, their eyes met, but neither spoke a word.

The place chosen by Wei Qilin was naturally top-notch.

A barbecue dinner with the effect of a Michelin-starred restaurant.

At first, these young people were somewhat restrained, but gradually, everyone loosened up.

Wei Qilin had a private room with card tables set up, and they played enthusiastically. After watching them play a few rounds, Chu Ning stepped outside.

The scene there was different.

Vibrant, relaxed, friendly, and filled with laughter.

Ying Jing sat beside Zhou Ming, listening to them passionately talk about their dreams. Their vivid enthusiasm was infectious, with everyone chattering endlessly. However, Ying Jing was unusually quiet, sitting there speaking little. Occasionally, he smiled, but most of the time, he kept his head slightly lowered, maintaining silence.

The table was piled with over a dozen empty beer bottles, and there was still a case waiting to be consumed on the floor.

Chu Ning frowned, unsure of how much he had drunk.

Not long after, Wei Qilin came down from the card table, followed by his secretary. Seeing Chu Ning, he said, “Come join us.”

A group of people walked over to them, pouring drinks and raising their glasses for a toast.

Everyone stood up swiftly. Wei Qilin smiled gently, lightly pressing down with his hand, “Today, we don’t fuss over formalities. Have fun; I’ll toast everyone, drink as you please.”

Chu Ning happened to be standing next to Ying Jing and whispered, “If you can’t handle it, don’t drink.”

He wasn’t the host, and in this situation, it didn’t matter anyway.

But Ying Jing ignored her. The next moment, he tilted his head back and drank the black beer in his glass.

Chu Ning swallowed this frustration, feeling stifled but unable to vent due to the crowd. She glared at him fiercely, yet still received no response. So, with a stern expression, she followed Wei Qilin.

During the one-and-a-half-hour gathering, every time Chu Ning looked at Ying Jing, he was drinking.

At eleven o’clock, they ended the event, coming with high spirits and leaving jubilantly. Wei Qilin’s secretary arranged several cars to comfortably send everyone off.

Zhou Ming’s team headed back to T University in two cars. There were also a few acquaintances who split into different vehicles according to directions. Only Ying Jing was returning to C Hang. The secretary asked him, “Mr. Wei is on the way; would you like to ride with us?”

Ying Jing hadn’t spoken yet.

“I’m on the way; I’ll take him,” Chu Ning said as she approached.

The secretary looked at Ying Jing for confirmation, but he showed no reaction.

“Alright,” he told Chu Ning, “President Ning, thank you for the trouble.”

After everyone left, Chu Ning crossed her arms and looked at him, asking, “Do you plan to stand here all night?”

She shifted her gaze, saying nothing more, and turned to fetch the car.

Not long after, footsteps followed behind her, and Chu Ning gradually relaxed.

They silently got into the car. Ying Jing sat in the passenger seat and remained silent after fastening his seatbelt.

He was too quiet, unconsciously exuding an aura of deep resolve. Chu Ning acted as if nothing was wrong, started the car, turned on the signal, and smoothly drove onto the main road.

The weather had been clear these days, making the winter night breeze even drier. Perhaps due to the oppressive atmosphere inside the car, Chu Ning slid down the window halfway, allowing the neon lights and wind from half the city to flow in.

After exiting the elevated bridge, they turned onto Fucheng Road. Actually, during the latter part of the journey, she sensed that Ying Jing was looking at her continuously.

The space inside the car was already small, and with his intense gaze adding pressure, Chu Ning felt somewhat tense.

She gripped the steering wheel tightly, pretending to be calm. But unable to maintain it for even five minutes, Chu Ning resignedly said, “What’s with your temper? Can you just say what’s bothering you instead of being so stubborn? You’re making me...”

As she spoke, she turned her head and suddenly froze.

Ying Jing had been looking at her, and the tears he had held back all evening flowed when their eyes met.

Two streams of clear tears—awkward, straightforward, full of stubborn persistence.

In this instant, a thought popped into Chu Ning’s mind: even a blood feud could be forgiven.

All anger dissipated, and she sighed, “You’re such a big boy, why do you cry so easily?”

Ying Jing wiped his eyes with his hand and continued to endure.

Chu Ning decided to pull over and close the window; this time, it was completely quiet.

“Do you plan to stop talking to me?” Her eyebrows betrayed her weariness.

Ying Jing finally opened his mouth, his voice hoarse, “Are you going to abandon me?”

Chu Ning remained silent.

“You fancy Zhou Ming. It makes sense; their project is so excellent, meeting all the requirements of you businessmen. They have technology and awards, and winning is itself great advertising. Future marketing and promotion will never lack attention.”

His tone was cold and dejected, but Chu Ning listened calmly.

Ying Jing said, “Do you think I don’t understand my own situation? The technical difficulty is high, the investment cost is high, the prospects are unclear, my major is obscure, our team is just starting, everything begins from zero, and very few people are willing to help us lay the foundation.”

Chu Ning leaned over, pulling out a cigarette from the left side. The cigarette was thin and white; she gently bit it, lit it, and took a puff. The flame brightened and dimmed.

This was the first time Ying Jing saw her smoke.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and the long eyeliner added allure. In the haze of smoke, her profile was stunningly beautiful.

Chu Ning stubbed out the cigarette halfway through. Turning her head to look at him, she said, “First, I won’t abandon your project. But you must understand me. I have my own constraints. Over a hundred employees in the company need to eat. From the internal management level to the investor platform, I must weigh the pros and cons.”

“Second, I don’t deny that the company is indeed considering cooperation in the new energy vehicle industry. But this is uncertain; I can’t predict the outcome either.”

From her eyes to her tone, Chu Ning was very calm, unadorned, revealing her helplessness more genuinely.

“Third, Ying Jing, we are partners. As long as this identity and role don’t change, you and I will always be on the same side. You need to learn to accept that this world has many unforeseen situations and reasonable ones within it. You must learn to find a balance between these two. Will sulking and stubbornness solve the problem? This is something I am willing to compromise on. If it were Wei Qilin, Tang Yao, or anyone else, just try it?”

Chu Ning slowly shifted her gaze back, looking at a certain point on the steering wheel, “I know this process of growth will be a bit bitter, but you must go through it.”

Ying Jing’s resentment of the entire evening gradually subsided after hearing her sincere talk.

His voice grew hoarser, “I can’t bear it.”

“Hmm?”

“I can’t bear being ignored, being denied.”

And being abandoned by you.

Chu Ning nodded, “I understand. At some point, I was like you too.”

Ying Jing looked at her, puzzled.

Chu Ning curved her lips into a smile, “There will always be a process. Only the duration differs; you can’t force growth.”

Ying Jing earnestly asked, “So, are you willing to give me time?”

“I’ve always been giving you time.”

Suddenly, everything became clear.

Ying Jing covered his face with both hands.

Chu Ning wondered, “What are you doing?”

He shook his head while covering his face, his muffled voice coming through the gaps between his fingers, “I’m not crying.”

Chu Ning chuckled, “Who believes that? Move your hands; let me see?”

He shook his head again.

Chu Ning stopped trying to persuade him and directly tickled his waist. The sensation was perfect—firm yet with a slight bounce from his muscles. Before she could savor it, Ying Jing had curled up into a ball, his hands falling from his face, shouting, “Don’t tickle me!”

Chu Ning tilted her head, staring at him playfully, and finally grinned brightly, “Good, you really aren’t crying.”

Ying Jing pouted and leaned back against the seat, “I’m not going back to school tonight.”

“Then where are you going?”

When he acted spoiled, it was quite scary.

“To your place.”

Once unfamiliar, now familiar. This time, arriving at Chu Ning’s apartment, he seemed to have become a family member.

Knowing there were no men’s slippers in her house, he took off his shoes without a word upon entering. When thirsty, he went straight to the kitchen for water. After drinking, he returned to the living room, checking the light switch cautiously.

Chu Ning asked, “What are you doing?”

“Click,” the light came on.

Ying Jing smiled, “It’s not broken.”

“...” Such meticulous consideration.

Chu Ning handed him a new towel, “Go take a shower.”

The shower heated Ying Jing up, and halfway through, he turned on the cold water.

Covered in goosebumps, he felt increasingly awake and excited under the cold water.

Taking advantage of his shower time, Chu Ning had already tidied up her files and computer, preparing to work late into the night.

“Finished?” Hearing the bathroom door open, she sat cross-legged on the carpet, not turning her head, engrossed in reading materials.

A reading lamp was on the table, casting her shadow on the white wall like a rose blooming in the dark night.

Ying Jing walked over and mimicked her posture, sitting across from her.

Chu Ning glanced up; what kind of expression was that? Was he prepared to die? Were young boys’ worries so complicated?

Suddenly, Ying Jing asked, “What kind of man do you like?”

Chu Ning furrowed her brow, “Are you conducting a survey?”

“Just tell me; let’s chat.”

“What’s there to talk about!”

Ying Jing inquired curiously, “Oh, so you’ve never been in love?”

Chu Ning erupted, “Who hasn’t been in love! Of course, I have!”

“What did your ex-boyfriend look like?” he asked indifferently.

“...” Chu Ning realized then that this kid had learned to use reverse psychology.

She was both angry and amused, no longer cared, and after thinking for a moment, recalled, “A college classmate, a nice guy, gentle in nature. He went abroad later, and we broke up.”

Many twists and turns were omitted. Love and hate stemmed from the heart; after time passed, it was reduced to a few simple words.

Chu Ning was very composed. After speaking, she calmed down and continued typing on the computer.

Ying Jing was unfazed and even offered no opinion.

“Alright, now it’s your turn to ask me.”

“What should I ask?”

“Ask me what kind of girl I like.”

Chu Ning vaguely felt something was amiss. At this moment, Ying Jing gave her the impression of being clear-headed, purposeful, and even aggressive.

Without giving her time to sort out her thoughts, he unexpectedly deviated from the norm, suddenly flashing a simple smile. His teeth were like pearls, the curve beautiful. This charming tactic was so youthful that Chu Ning was momentarily distracted by this smile.

Perhaps his second-year syndrome had flared up again.

Chu Ning discarded her earlier strange suspicions, assuming he was just fooling around and about to crack another joke.

She complied, “Alright, alright, I’ll ask. So, what kind of girl do you like?”

Ying Jing’s smile faded as he looked at her and said, “I like you.”

Chu Ning stopped typing on the keyboard.

She heard him repeat, “I like you.”

The night cradled faint stars and moonlight, and the light in the living room seemed to sway left and right.

After experiencing a brief moment of stiffness, Chu Ning quickly regained her composure. In the deep quiet of the night, she looked at him. At this moment, even the air felt delicate.

Chu Ning slightly raised her chin, using her usual calmness to control the situation.

Her emotions were ambiguous, and she softly asked, “What? Do you want me to keep you... hmm?”