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The atmosphere was excellent, a refreshing breeze amidst the technical competition.
However, Feng Zi Yang remarked, “He won’t secure a ranking.”
Chu Ning asked, “Why?”
“Too flashy. The school leaders can’t keep up with this trend.”
“Isn’t it because he’s a bit dumb?” Chu Ning spoke bluntly.
“Dumb?” Feng Zi Yang chuckled. “His engine configuration is excellent. Look, it’s been fifteen minutes, and it hasn’t even paused for breath.”
Chu Ning couldn’t delve deeper into the technicalities—it was beyond her understanding.
She peeled open a candy, savoring its milky flavor.
In the end, Feng Zi Yang’s prediction came true. The top three spots were divided between aerospace design and computer science majors. Ying Jing’s score was mediocre, as usual, a result he had long grown accustomed to.
Exiting the gymnasium, they were greeted by sunlight.
To the left was the basketball court, where about ten players lined up, their lively figures running back and forth. To the right was the dormitory area, drawing most of the foot traffic. In a predominantly male STEM school, groups of girls occasionally walked shoulder to shoulder, chatting and laughing. Among them, the girl in a skirt stood out the most, her hem swaying gently.
Probably roommates, Chu Ning judged silently.
Feng Zi Yang mingled with the crowd and suddenly turned to ask, “Do I look like a senior student?”
Chu Ning glanced at him. “Don’t insult people’s intelligence.”
Feng Zi Yang wasn’t offended, leisurely musing, “Youth is truly wonderful.”
“Yes, I’m fantastic,” Chu Ning quipped.
“...”
Today, Chu Ning wore a simple trench coat paired with high heels. She raised her hand to put on sunglasses, exuding an old-school Hong Kong star vibe at first glance.
“Let’s stroll around the campus,” Feng Zi Yang suggested.
“No time. I have work to handle at the company.”
Chu Ning declined, still holding the few candies she planned to take to her car. As she turned, she saw a group of boys descending the steps at the gym entrance, with Ying Jing in the middle.
He had taken off his jacket, wearing only a loose hoodie. His hands lazily crossed over his chest, pulling the already wide neckline further open, exposing the sharp curve of his left collarbone.
His skin was quite fair.
Chu Ning’s gaze drifted away nonchalantly, only to realize he was staring directly at her.
With a candy in her mouth, Chu Ning chewed lightly, her expression indifferent.
“You really went overboard! Professor Li’s face turned black sitting there!”
A classmate clapped Ying Jing on the shoulder, several others huddled together.
“You even threw flower petals—so typical of straight men, so dark.”
“Zhang Huaiyu’s eyes lit up when she looked at you, hahaha.”
These campus gossip tidbits felt both familiar and distant. As they passed by, Ying Jing smiled at Feng Zi Yang, both recognizing each other. Chu Ning slipped the candies in her palm into her coat pocket and glanced once more at the retreating young backs.
Under the brilliantly bright sunshine of the clear blue sky, Ying Jing happened to turn his head, locking eyes with Chu Ning. He grinned, winking at her.
Chewing on her candy, Chu Ning gave a quick glance before heading to retrieve her car.
________________________________________
Back in the dormitory, Qi Yu, thirsty, poured himself some water and filled Ying Jing’s cup as well. “Actually, I think if you had skipped the fancy tricks, you might’ve scored better.”
Ying Jing rummaged through his basketball clothes, lifting the collar over his head in one swift motion, peeling off his hoodie effortlessly. He slung the jersey over his shoulder and playfully kicked Qi Yu’s behind. “Why be so serious? It’s just for fun.”
Qi Yu spat out the water he was drinking. “You’re asking for trouble!”
Ying Jing leaped to escape but was too slow; Qi Yu grabbed his collar, tearing off a large piece of the jersey with a loud rip.
“A beast, are you?!” Ying Jing shouted.
Seeing the brand label, Qi Yu froze and quickly apologized, “Sorry.”
“It’s fine, really.”
“I’ll buy you a new one.”
“No need,” Ying Jing reassured him, knowing Qi Yu’s meticulous nature. “I bought this at the night market for thirty yuan—it was a whole set.”
Qi Yu’s tense expression didn’t ease. He opened his palm earnestly. “There’s a QR code on the label. Let me scan it.”
Ying Jing slapped his hand away. “Nonsense! Come on, let’s play ball.”
Many awkwardnesses and grudges could dissolve silently and gracefully with someone of good temperament. Ying Jing was like the sun after a spring rain—refreshing, bright, pleasing to the eye, and heartwarming.
Qi Yu chased after him, unconsciously expressing his regret. “Today’s competition—I thought you could’ve placed, at least in the top three.”
Ying Jing ignored him, slapping the basketball loudly. “Watch my flying slam dunk—zoom—boom—score! Lord Ying is amazing!”
He added a dramatic flair to his own act, muffling all of Qi Yu’s words in his throat.
After evening study, which ended at 9:30 PM, Ying Jing lingered until he was the last to leave. Instead of returning to the dormitory, he headed to the lab.
Ying Jing brought out the helicopter model from the afternoon competition, powered it up, and tested the propeller speed across different bands, gradually weakening the power.
“Look at you, every time in this range, you start shaking, you little fool.” Ying Jing muttered to himself, testing a few more times, mock-scolding, “Thank your dad for my excellent control skills. If I hadn’t kept you from crashing, you’d have lost face entirely, and who would you cry to then?”
He poked the fuselage and made a face at it.
Only one light was on in the lab, casting an enlarged shadow on the white wall. Ying Jing leaned forward, one hand supporting his chin, the other gently touching the helicopter’s nose. The light in his eyes dimmed, converging into a tranquil lake.
The mask of indifference he wore during the day was shed. Bowing his head, Ying Jing softly said to his “competition partner,” “Sorry.”
Amidst the heavy atmosphere, a voice pierced through—
“Focus your efforts on the right path instead of studying useless shortcuts. That’s more effective than saying sorry.”
Startled, Ying Jing turned to see who it was. Recognizing the intruder, he immediately patted his chest to calm himself. “You scared me! I thought you were a ghost. Professor Li, why didn’t you make a sound when you entered?”
“Ghost, my ass,” Li Zhoushan glared irritably.
Ying Jing scratched his head, chuckling. “You’re still awake so late?”
Li Zhoushan pointed to the model behind him. “Take it apart and test the turbine inlet temperature.”
Understanding, Ying Jing got to work without unnecessary chatter.
After reviewing, Professor Li snorted coldly. “No wonder it vibrated. Do you know where the problem lies?”
Ying Jing blinked. “Because the master is too handsome?”
“You brat!”
Suppressing laughter, Ying Jing leaned closer.
“The pressure ratio doesn’t meet standards when increasing the speed.” Li Zhoushan pointed to the display panel, drawing in the air with his finger. “Pressure ratio less than 3.5, turbine inlet temperature doesn’t rise—it’s a transition phase.”
Ying Jing’s eyes lit up. “I understand.”
Watching him adjust it again, Li Zhoushan’s expression softened, revealing hidden satisfaction though his tone remained stern. “You’re only clever in small ways, unfocused and careless. What bad habits.”
Ying Jing blurted out, “Graduating is enough.”
“Such ambition!” Li Zhoushan scolded angrily. “What after graduation? Find some random place to earn a salary and idle your days away?”
Ying Jing was momentarily speechless.
Though Li’s tone wasn’t friendly, at this moment, Ying Jing faintly sensed the regret seeping through his eyes and tone. The subtle bitterness was stronger than ever.
“Life isn’t just about filling your stomach with cornbread. There should be some pursuit of flavor.” Li didn’t bother wasting words, half-sarcastic and half-cool. “If I remember correctly, you haven’t won any university-level awards these three years, right?”
Ying Jing was quiet, still dazed.
“The second half of the semester will involve internships. Without some extra points, it won’t look good.” Li tossed him a project book. “This is a topic I’m working on with a corporate friend. Take a look—if you’re interested, reply to me tomorrow.”
The cover bore a prominent bilingual title—
“Establishment and Feasibility Analysis of a Virtual Simulation Model for Aircraft Engines.”
________________________________________
From that day on, a week of continuous drizzle followed, finally clearing up on Saturday.
Chu Ning’s act of delaying her engagement due to her injured leg unfolded systematically and meticulously. From “removing the plaster” last week, to “using crutches” this week, to now being “completely recovered,” the process progressed steadily, leaving no gaps.
Today, she met Guan Yu for dinner at a newly opened restaurant styled after the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. Screens painted with ladies separated the booths, while musicians played the pipa and guzheng on stage, elegant and refined. Guan Yu arrived five minutes late, complaining before she even approached:
“Just three months away from Beijing, Jianguomen is worse than ever. It’s like a clogged toilet, always meeting reckless lane changers—disgusting! Oh? Ning, your leg is better?”
Guan Yu’s voice was crisp. Halfway through taking off her coat, she noticed Chu Ning’s legs and laughed, “The Feng family must be bringing up the engagement again, right?”
Today, Chu Ning wore bold red lipstick, which under the light accentuated her fair skin and beauty. Speaking of this, she was in a good mood. “They consulted a Hong Kong master for auspicious dates. Missing the last one means nothing suitable for the next six months—they say it clashes with ancestral fate.”
Mr. Feng believed in such things, which conveniently aligned with her wishes.
Guan Yu, with her voluptuous figure, sat cross-legged on the cushion, teasing, “Feng Zi Yang is pretty good. You could fake it till you make it.”
Chu Ning ignored her, raising her eyes to stare. “Did you get breast implants in Korea?”
“Get out of here. I’ve always been a C-cup.”
“Really?” Chu Ning pondered, raising an eyebrow. “Let me feel.”
“Tsk! Such a pervert!” Guan Yu burst into laughter.
Chu Ning lazily propped her chin, relaxed and at ease.
She and Guan Yu had been classmates since junior high, practically childhood friends. Guan Yu came from a wealthy family, with a straightforward personality. After graduating in media studies, she worked for China Radio for two years but found no future, quit, and coincidentally joined forces with Chu Ning during her entrepreneurial phase, becoming an original shareholder of Ningjing Investment.
After three years of ups and downs, Ningjing Investment wasn’t large but was now stable in its operations.
Eating and chatting, Guan Yu mentioned, “I heard from Xiao Song that you were cornered at your apartment door by people from Xinda Group last time?”
“Mm.” Chu Ning paused. “That was ages ago.”
“How did you get out of it?”
Chu Ning’s chopsticks hovered over the dish for a second before picking up a shrimp. “I rode a guy’s bike.”
“A guy?” Guan Yu perked up. “What kind of guy?”
Chu Ning thought for a moment. “Annoying.”
“Tsk.” Guan Yu thought she was joking and changed the subject. “By the way, didn’t you call your cousin to accompany Mr. Zhang for dinner last time?”
Chu Ning raised an eyebrow. “How do you know about that?”
Guan Yu shrugged. “It’s not hard to find out—just browse entertainment news.”
The story was lengthy but simple.
Chu Ning’s cousin, Zhao Beiqi, was a relatively popular rising starlet in the entertainment industry, known for her pure and innocent image. Some time ago, Chu Ning was pursuing an investment project, but the wealthy Mr. Zhang stubbornly refused to agree. Later, she discovered Mr. Zhang’s nouveau riche tendencies and love for face-saving projects. Chu Ning arranged for her cousin to attend a dinner, with the popular actress making an appearance, much to Mr. Zhang’s delight. The next day, he notified Chu Ning to sign the contract.
Guan Yu informed her, “Zhao cousin attending that dinner was caught by the media, followed by sarcastic gossip. She got the short end of the stick.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning remained unfazed. “What disadvantage did she suffer? Haven’t I served the Zhao family enough these years? The resources for her last movie were provided by me. So what’s wrong with having a meal?” Chu Ning’s voice was firm. “—Reciprocity goes both ways. Doesn’t she know? It’s her duty.”
Guan Yu understood the complexity and discord of Chu Ning’s relationship with the Zhao family and couldn’t argue.
“Besides, those negative news stories were PR-ed out the next day.” Chu Ning’s voice cooled halfway.
Guan Yu hesitated. “Was it Zhao Mingchuan?”
Chu Ning tacitly confirmed, then grew annoyed. “The Zhao family is always like this—pretending one thing on the surface and doing another behind closed doors. If they didn’t want to do it, they shouldn’t have agreed. Once they agree, they shouldn’t complain elsewhere.”
As soon as the word “complain” left her lips, Guan Yu abruptly sat upright, her words stuttering. “Uh, Zhao... Brother Zhao.” Realizing it sounded inappropriate, she quickly corrected herself. “Mr. Zhao.”
Chu Ning froze, turning her head to see Zhao Mingchuan walking out from behind the screen, his face darkened.
Coincidentally, both were dining here. Passing by, Zhao Mingchuan overheard every word Chu Ning had said.
The reputation of the Zhao family’s young master preceded him. Men from this background and class, even without speaking, could instill fear just by standing there staring. Not to mention now, his gaze was inscrutable.
Guan Yu was already uneasy, but Chu Ning was accustomed to this knife-edge interaction, defiantly meeting his gaze.
The atmosphere was extremely tense.
Guan Yu even plotted an escape route—no, she planned to drag Chu Ning along!
After more than ten seconds, Zhao Mingchuan slowly raised his hand, pointing at Chu Ning, his index finger jabbing forcefully in the air. The warning was unmistakable.
Chu Ning’s lips curled into a small, mocking smile, unmasked in its sarcasm. Then she turned her head, leisurely continuing to eat.
A battlefield without gunfire.
But upon closer inspection, Chu Ning clearly held the upper hand, while Zhao Mingchuan seemed to be the one forced to retreat silently.
Guan Yu patted her chest, relieved. “You didn’t see his expression—I was afraid the next second he’d open his bloody jaws and bite your head off!”
Chu Ning remained calm.
Guan Yu observed her demeanor, lowering her gaze silently. As a fellow woman, she understood Chu Ning’s struggles.
“Hey,” Guan Yu sighed, offering sincere advice. “Lower your stance a bit in front of your brother. What’s the big deal about yielding? Why oppose him? You’re usually so smart—why are you so stubborn about this?”
Seeing her remain silent, Guan Yu continued, “You’re a woman after all. With him...”
But this sentence irked Chu Ning. She set down her chopsticks. “Why do you talk like my mother? What about being a woman? Are women destined to be weak while men can be naturally unreasonable?”
Guan Yu’s greatest strength was not arguing with people. She quickly switched to a smile, patting Chu Ning’s hand affectionately. Fine, fine, ending the unpleasant topic.
Guan Yu took out a document from her bag. “Take a look at this.”
Chu Ning accepted it. “What is it?”
“Some projects I collected during this business trip.”
Chu Ning’s eyes lit up, dispelling the earlier gloom.
Guan Yu sneered. “A real money stringer. Take a look—I think a few are decent. Oh, pay special attention to the second-to-last one.”
Chu Ning’s gaze jumped, her brows furrowing.
C Hang University?
She didn’t read the subsequent project introduction, content, or objectives.
Memory, like a scent-guided trail, led her thoughts inexplicably to Ying Jing at the mere mention of the school name.
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