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Ying Jing took a deep breath, the heat in his lungs surging up to his throat like fire.
He pressed the answer button and then closed his eyes, even simulating her first words.
They were definitely angry, disappointed, and resolute.
But the other end of the line was unexpectedly silent.
Not a word of blame, not even a single word from Chu Ning.
This silence made Ying Jing feel a hundred times worse. His throat was dry and hoarse, and he tried to explain with a trembling voice: “I... I’ll go to the scene now to check what happened... I...”
Another call reminder came: “Incoming call from 139xxx, would you like to answer?”
Ying Jing found it like an air-raid shelter, avoiding the situation by saying: “I have another call coming in, let me hang up first.”
He quickly pressed “Yes” and cut off Chu Ning’s call.
This time, it was Director Wu from the department calling. While listening, Ying Jing changed his shoes, “Alright, I’m coming right away.”
This commotion woke up the dormitory that had gradually fallen into slumber, making it bright again with lights.
At the scene, the situation was a little better than he imagined.
The cause of the accident wasn’t initially determined to be a short circuit in the wiring but rather a prohibited code loaded onto the computer. This program self-replicated, attaching itself to various files, eventually causing the entire laboratory computer system to crash completely.
Inside were not only all the progress of the team’s projects but also included core components of C Hang’s other professional systems.
The school immediately organized technicians to try to salvage the system and contacted relevant software company personnel. More than ten elites were mobilized, yet there was still no result.
“You people are messing around!” Director Wu couldn’t help but scold them fiercely.
“When the laboratory was approved for your use, it was based on the school’s support for this model of university-enterprise joint entrepreneurship. Don’t think you’re the only team; Zhang Heng from the thermal energy side also secured funding. Why did we give the better-conditioned laboratory to you? It’s because of you, Ying Jing. Your academic performance and behavior have added points in the hearts of the school leaders.”
All members of Ying Jing’s team stood quietly in the office, none of them uttering a word. Only Zhang Huaiyu couldn’t help but sob.
“How many times has the department emphasized and reiterated that you must always remember the safety responsibilities and prevent accidents. Do you not understand the importance of this?” Director Wu was furious, unable to resist banging the table, “Damage to equipment aside, but the literature, research programs, and even some of the school’s key simulation aviation development technical points are inside. To put it severely — you’re sabotaging national secrets!”
One by one, the youngsters lowered their heads. Only Ying Jing maintained a straight back posture, his gaze steady yet hesitant and vacant.
Zhang Huaiyu cried uncontrollably, “Director, I didn’t violate any operating procedures, I... I...”
Ying Jing took over her agitated emotions, speaking clearly to finish her sentence: “All our actions in the laboratory were under the premise of following laboratory regulations. Phase two of the project is nearing its end. Director Wu, before this, have we ever violated once?”
He took a deep breath: “Please believe us, this was not intentional sabotage on our part.”
He deliberately emphasized the last four words.
Director Wu immediately retorted: “What do you mean? What are you trying to express?”
Zhang Huaiyu quickly interjected: “I only went to the restroom around nine fifteen, and I never left the laboratory in between. Director, this project is something we’ve done together. If we really wanted to mess it up, we wouldn’t have insisted on joining in the first place.”
Wan Pengpeng, originally from the computer science department, calmly said: “The laboratory has surveillance cameras.”
“You mean?”
“Yes, check the footage to see if anyone came in during the ten minutes Zhang Huaiyu was gone.” Zhou Yuan was emotionally agitated.
Director Wu frowned, pacing to the window and making a phone call.
After a brief exchange, he hung up and stood in front of them again.
“Alright, even if your assumption holds, you still can’t escape responsibility.” Director Wu pointed at the desk, “What does the laboratory system crash mean? Eh?”
Ying Jing remained silent.
“You’d better pray that it can be restored!” Director Wu was so troubled by this incident that he couldn’t even enjoy the New Year, feeling both irritable and impatient. “Before the handling results come out, you are forbidden to enter the laboratory!”
Zhou Yuan hastily asked: “Then what about our project?!”
“Still thinking about the project!” Director Wu sternly shot back: “Suspended!”
Zhang Huaiyu’s crying became even more pitiful.
Director Wu: “If the losses are truly irreparable, the investors will also bear responsibility.”
Ying Jing suddenly raised his head.
After venting his anger, Director Wu sat down, took off his glasses, and rubbed his temples, looking very distressed. “Alright, go out and wait for further notice. Don’t go out these few days; we’ll talk to you anytime.”
On this winter night, the wind was as sharp as a blade, cutting across the faces of the youngsters.
Among them, there were plenty of words, but they didn’t know where to start.
They glanced at each other, then patted each other’s backs. Everyone was most worried about Ying Jing.
At this moment, he was walking alone at the front.
Ahead was the darkness, and he didn’t look back.
The next day, the surveillance investigation results they hoped for came out. No one had entered the laboratory during the time Zhang Huaiyu left. In the afternoon, the news worsened: the laboratory’s computer system could not be fully restored.
The whole team was utterly disheartened.
This blow was different from any setback in their youthful years. It wasn’t failing an exam, not getting tickets for the high-speed train home, being rejected by someone they liked, or being teased by friends.
This blow was a dagger, a pain that cut to the bone.
The campus had already made them headline news, with rumors, discussions, speculations, and ridicule.
In scientific research, everyone has a sincere and competitive spirit.
But no one wants to become famous in this way.
Ying Jing stayed cooped up in the dormitory for two days, silent and taciturn, like a soulless shell.
Qi Yu hesitated for a long time and decided to face the issue, asking: “What do you plan to do next?”
Ying Jing closed his eyes: “I don’t know.”
“What do you think the school will do?”
“I don’t know.”
Qi Yu looked at his state, feeling somewhat sorry for him. After a pause, he still asked the most crucial question—
“What about President Ning?”
This time, Ying Jing didn’t even say “I don’t know,” just silently shook his head, then lowered his eyebrows, not wanting him to see his emotions.
How could he explain? She hadn’t called him back once.
Ying Jing clutched his phone tightly. In the past two days, countless people had called him—the department, the student affairs office, the vice-principal, software companies, engineers—but not her.
“And our phase three project, after the semester starts, will we continue?” Qi Yu asked without much confidence, his voice trailing off on the last three words.
Every second of waiting felt like an eternity.
Just when he thought he wouldn’t get an answer.
“Do it.” Ying Jing said.
“We must do it.”
________________________________________
“President Ning, half an hour later, the risk control department will have a meeting. Vice President Wang asked me to check if you have time to attend?” Zhou Qin came in to report to Chu Ning, cautiously glancing at her.
Chu Ning was still wearing the clothes she wore yesterday to work. Judging by this, she probably spent the whole night in the office.
Zhou Qin glanced at the office door, which was tightly shut.
She continued: “This meeting, Vice President Wang is well-prepared. Hosted by the risk control department, finance, sales, and legal will all participate.”
Chu Ning leaned her head against the chair, pinching her temples.
She knew full well that this was no different from an ambush.
Ningjing Investment nearly collapsed during the financial crisis a couple of years ago. Later, with Feng Ziyang’s help, they completed Series A financing. The major investor was Qiming Industrial, Wei Qilin’s company, holding 32% of the shares. Feng Ziyang held 18%, and Wang Shan was Wei Qilin’s man. This old general’s style tended towards conservatism and stability. He had already expressed considerable dissatisfaction with Chu Ning’s stubborn investment in Ying Jing.
At this moment, it might not be easy to pass smoothly.
Chu Ning sighed inwardly, straightened her back, and said: “Reply to Vice President Wang, I will attend on time.”
As expected, at the meeting, the risk control department first raised doubts, using Ying Jing’s recent incident as an opportunity to speak at length, elaborating on the project’s uncertainties from various angles. Subsequently, finance, sales, and technology departments all voiced their opinions. The words were gentle and roundabout, but the unified opinion was clear—
Stop project investment, cut losses in time.
These departments, combining firmness with gentleness, played good cop bad cop, as if they had rehearsed in advance.
Wang Shan summarized the opinions last, his gentle expression resembling a Maitreya Buddha.
“President Ning’s initial development positioning and planning concept were very correct. The company needs transformation, needs to align with market hotspots, and needs to cater to national policy directions. Choosing to invest in scientific research technology, I personally agree. Then, good projects are particularly important. Virtual aviation development technology is a very novel industry, and President Ning’s vision is quite accurate.”
“But, the objective problems in this industry remain very serious. Insufficient popularity, insufficient market attention, and the national 2025 plan shows mediocre support for this area. Let’s dig deeper—its market is too narrow. Everyone knows that military enterprises are mostly still monopolized by the state. Their technological research and procurement channels are singular; breaking through is too difficult.”
“Ho ho, perhaps I’m exaggerating a bit.” Wang Shan smiled gently, “To be more practical, regarding last night’s incident, C Hang has already contacted the company. Preliminary negotiations indicate that if the losses are too severe and cannot be recovered, we will also bear part of the costs.”
With these words, Wang Shan had spoken eight-tenths of the matter. The situation was already very clear.
The remaining two-tenths were thrown to Chu Ning.
Everyone was looking at her.
Every moment of silence in the air was pressing down on her.
Chu Ning’s face remained calm as usual. After years of struggle, this level of composure was practiced to perfection.
She said: “I have been responsible for the project’s progress. This time, the team made such a mistake, and I am also very surprised. Everyone’s viewpoints are reasonable and evidence-based, and I personally agree. However, the success rate of any project is unpredictable. Only in progress can we analyze, judge, and improve its route. Setting aside this accident, I believe that from the project’s inception to now, whether it’s technology or progress, it has commendable aspects.”
Her words were very probing.
Her tone was flat, objective, while subtly observing everyone’s reactions.
Wang Shan’s displeasure was written on his brows.
Chu Ning quietly shifted her gaze back, giving them five-tenths of their way, saying: “After the assessment, I will make a careful choice based on the evaluation report.”
Meeting adjourned.
After everyone left, Wang Shan called Chu Ning: “President Ning, can we talk?”
Zhou Qin served tea to both of them, then closed the door.
Wang Shan drank Da Hong Pao, while Chu Ning had a glass of warm water.
Wang Shan took a sip, cutting to the chase: “President Wei has already given me the bottom line, letting me convey a message to you. This project, he wants you to abandon.”
Not a suggestion, not a choice, but a must.
Chu Ning didn’t speak, picked up her water glass, and took a small sip.
“The prospects of this project are not optimistic. Investment is not charity; return rate, making money, is the fundamental.” Wang Shan said: “Little Ning, among young people your age, you are indeed very outstanding. As an uncle figure, I advise you not to act impulsively. Pick up your usual rationality, weigh the pros and cons, and think carefully.”
“President Wei has already started contacting that new energy vehicle R&D team. They are also very sincere. If there are no surprises, this will be the first step for Qiming Industrial to expand its investment fields. Moreover, he intends for you to participate. Transforming Ningjing Investment in this direction.”
Wang Shan’s final words were genuinely heartfelt: “This is an opportunity. In business, diligence, effort, and perseverance can all be set aside. What’s most important? I think you should be very clear. This time, it depends on whether you are willing to seize it.”
Like the wind stopping.
The remaining was the emptiness of all things quiet.
Chu Ning spent another day sitting in the office. Night fell, neon lights began to glow, and the light bursting in through the floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped her in a flickering shadow play of light and dark.
When the phone rang, she turned on the main light.
The caller was Ying Jing, his flashing name like the urgency of what he was about to say.
Upon connection, his tone was urgent and excited: “Where are you?”
Chu Ning softly said: “Office.”
“Alright, wait for me fifteen minutes, I’ll come find you.”
There was already the sound of running and panting from the other end.
Chu Ning sank into the leather chair, murmuring: “Come over.”
Ying Jing arrived even faster than the agreed time.
He ran all the way, carrying certain fervent hopes. Upon entering, he directly rushed to her desk, his gaze tired but unable to hide the gleaming anticipation.
“I’m sorry, I admit my mistakes. These two days, I’ve been afraid, not daring to contact you actively because I was afraid you’d be disappointed, afraid you’d scold me.” He spoke rapidly, crisp and clear: “The laboratory incident wasn’t our doing, do you believe me?”
His gaze was direct, falling into Chu Ning’s eyes.
Eager, intense, even with a hint of pleading.
Chu Ning nodded, calmly: “Mm.”
Ying Jing felt the stone in his heart land, the tightest string loosening, and his subsequent words became even more spirited: “Listen to my next plan. I will continue to investigate the truth. The laboratory system isn’t easily destroyed. If it weren’t premeditated, something like this wouldn’t happen. But since it has happened, I will do everything I can, try various methods, see if I can restore the system, repair as much as possible—it’s better than doing nothing.”
Ying Jing waved the business card in his hand and pushed it towards Chu Ning.
Mingyao Innovation Co., Ltd., Executive Director, Tang Yao.
Black background, gold embossed letters, glittering brilliantly.
Chu Ning glanced at it, then looked at him.
Ying Jing told her, “At the previous banquet, President Tang gave me his business card and told me to contact him if I needed help. Yes, I shamelessly approached him, and he told me he could provide technical support.” Speaking here, Ying Jing’s eyes were filled with hope: “Mingyao Innovation’s technical strength is not only top-notch domestically but also one of the leading representatives in the Asian region. With his assistance, the probability of successful system restoration is quite high.”
He spoke tirelessly, outlining his plans: “Try our best to recover, not evade, not lose heart, and not delay the project’s progress. I’ve calculated the time; I’ll give up my winter break and work with Mingyao’s engineers to patch up the laboratory’s computer system. If things go smoothly, we can resume phase three of the project as usual when the semester starts. Tell me, is this acceptable?”
Ying Jing was like an excited child, adjusting himself after encountering setbacks, changes, and ridicule, bringing back the vibrant self to meet Chu Ning.
He no longer caused her trouble but learned to solve problems.
He grew up, presenting her with homemade candies, perhaps not sweet enough, but all his efforts.
However, the prolonged silence eroded this enthusiasm.
Ying Jing’s eyes slowly became uncertain and worried.
Chu Ning looked at him, her tone and expression as calm as ever, and she said:
“That’s it.”
Ying Jing was stunned, “What?”
“I said, that’s it.”
“What do you mean?” His tone suddenly turned cold.
Chu Ning closed her eyes, pressing her temples, “Literal meaning.”
After a long while, Ying Jing broke the silence, asking: “Are you giving up?”
Under extreme silence, every breath could be distinctly heard.
Chu Ning heard his trembling.
“Are you asking me?! Are you giving up!” Ying Jing abruptly stood up, slamming both hands on the desk, unable to suppress his anger.
This shout made Chu Ning’s temples throb painfully.
Ying Jing was completely out of control, angrily shouting: “On what grounds, on what grounds?!”
“On what grounds?” Like hearing the biggest joke in the world, Chu Ning’s eyes pierced like needles, “On the grounds that I invested money but didn’t get the expected return.”
“Money, money, money, it’s always about money.” Ying Jing had lost all reason, “Why are you so vulgar! You’re just like everyone else!”
Chu Ning flared up, sneering, “Yes, I am vulgar, I am a merchant full of the stench of money. So what, are you just realizing this now?”
“You trickster, you trickster.” Ying Jing felt like dying of sorrow. He looked left and right, unable to focus, finally landing his gaze back on Chu Ning, turning into resentment and hatred, “I thought you were different, I thought you were different.”
“How am I different? Hmm?”
“You toy with others’ dreams, trample on others’ earnestness.”
Chu Ning suddenly stood up, too fast, feeling blood rush to her head.
She stared fiercely at Ying Jing, her eyes red-rimmed, “Yes, I toyed with you. This was an impulsive mistake. Damn it, my brain was scrambled by the plane disappearance incident, and I foolishly embarked on this project with you. Disregarding opposition from company people, ignoring the deputy president’s cold looks, I acted obstinately, talking about hope and sentiment. Now I’m neither fish nor fowl. I…”
She couldn’t continue, her vision blurred.
Chu Ning wildly wiped her face; her hand was full of tears.
She sobbed, “Why should I endure this, why should I still be scolded by you! Others can misunderstand me, but you can’t! You aren’t allowed! You can’t!!”
She hysterically vented the grievances hidden and suppressed within her these days, feeling like she was about to explode.
Chu Ning had never shown weakness like this.
She had always been carefree, independent, surviving in her own way in this dog-eat-dog food chain, though difficult, relatively clear-headed. She could have remained untouched by worldly affairs, but she instead encountered this nemesis.
At this moment, Chu Ning cried like a child.
Self-doubt, self-denial, she regressed more and more, chaotically disrupting her original life rhythm.
“You can’t, you can’t.” Chu Ning repeatedly muttered these four words, like a little girl bullied to death.
This room was cold enough to make one shiver.
Ying Jing tilted his head, and a tear dropped heavily.
People drift through the world, inevitably tempered by human affairs.
Regardless of age, identity, gender, regardless of strength.
There is no invincible golden body. If you want to grow, there is no room for negotiation.
Chu Ning’s vulnerable side seeped into Ying Jing’s eyes.
His heart shattered.
“Don’t cry.” He walked over, his voice hoarse.
Chu Ning brushed away his outstretched hand, stubbornly pretending to be strong: “Go away.”
But Ying Jing hugged her tightly.
His arms like steel rings, trapping her firmly in his embrace.
The more she struggled, the tighter he held.
Finally, she bit down hard on his hand, tears silently streaming like a wounded little beast, exerting all its strength, refusing to let go.
Ying Jing bore it unflinchingly.
His voice was hoarse, his warm breath sweeping over Chu Ning’s skin, like the first warm breeze from the south heralding spring after winter.
“I once read a sentence I liked very much, spoken by a newspaper editor at Peking University’s graduation ceremony.”
Chu Ning bit down, her teeth like sharp blades, her tears blurring everything.
“She asked, what do you fear most in this world?” Ying Jing’s nasal tone was heavy, but he recited word for word: “…the most feared thing is that you’ve stopped believing—believing that rules can defeat unwritten rules, believing that academia is different from officialdom, believing that scholarship doesn’t equal scheming, believing that integrity far surpasses flattery. Because more and more people pursue ranks, fewer seek truth; more talk about benefits, fewer talk about ideals.”
His voice was pleasant, deep like notes on a cello.
Each word drilled into Chu Ning’s ears.
She gradually loosened her bite, but another wave of tears poured out uncontrollably.
Ying Jing held her, his heartbeat strong, passionate, like it would penetrate flesh and bone, telling her how determined he was.
“Chu Ning.” Ying Jing choked on his words, his lips lightly brushing her hair, delicate yet restrained, like a barely-there kiss.
“If every time you think of me, it’s all pain and tears, then I’ve truly failed miserably.”
His last sentence, his voice burning hot—
“I don’t blame you. Whatever decision you make, I won’t blame you. Truly.”
—Volume One: At That Time, When Youth Was Young
—End
—Volume Two: Don’t Waste Good Times
—See you tomorrow
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