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After the competition, Ying Jing and his team were taken to the interview area.
Flashing lights, microphones, cameras—all pointed at them in a sea of darkness.
The second and third place winners stood on either side, while the first-place winner naturally became the center of attention.
Zhang Huaiyu was quite shy and tried to step back.
“Come here.” Ying Jing reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her to the front.
Zhang Huaiyu waved her hands, whispering, “I don’t want to stand in front; you all go.”
“Come on!” The other three boys chimed in unison, forming a human wall and firmly pushing Zhang Huaiyu to the middle position.
Ying Jing said, “She’s the only female in our team; she deserves it.”
Qi Yu gave her a thumbs-up, Zhou Yuan raised a fist, and Wan Pengpeng patted Zhang Huaiyu’s shoulder.
The media smiled kindly, snapping photos.
Zhang Huaiyu also acted generously, saying, “Hey! Make sure to make my face look smaller in the pictures!”
Laughter rippled through the air, lightening the atmosphere.
Next was the interview time. Several mainstream media outlets were very enthusiastic about Ying Jing.
“How do you feel about winning the first place?”
Ying Jing responded, “Today’s mood is better than yesterday’s.”
Everyone laughed. Then they asked, “We’ve never seen your team in similar competitions before. What do you think is the reason for achieving such results in your first participation?”
“Diligent study, diligent practice, and—” Ying Jing looked at the second and third place winners on both sides, and with magnanimity said, “excellent competitors.”
This modest and appropriate response earned everyone’s admiration.
The sound of “snap snap” from taking photos increased.
After answering a few more questions, the organizer announced the end of the interview time.
Zhang Huaiyu held the trophy and walked at the front. The entire team stood tall with radiant smiles, exuding youthful invincibility.
There was a banquet in the evening, so they went back to the hotel for a short rest.
However, everyone was very excited and gathered in Ying Jing’s room to play.
Zhou Yuan stretched lazily, “Finally, we can rest for a few days. I’ve been staying up late during this period; my hair is starting to fall out.”
Qi Yu sat on the windowsill and chuckled, “Even if you didn’t stay up, you’d still be bald.”
“Go to hell.”
Zhang Huaiyu burst into laughter, sitting backward on a chair with her arms resting on the backrest, munching on watermelon. She stared at the trophy on the table, liking it more and more. “It’s super beautiful! Such a strong design sense! No way, I have to post it on my social media.”
“No need to post; the school forum has already been flooded,” Wan Pengpeng casually reported as he swiped his iPad.
Zhang Huaiyu quickly leaned over and exclaimed, “So many photos! All screenshots of our competition. They are perfectly captured!”
“And there’s this—edited videos are out too.” Wan Pengpeng looked at Ying Jing, “It’s your special feature.”
He flipped the screen to show everyone.
“Pretty handsome.”
“There’s background music too.”
“Oh, it’s marked as a highlight.”
Ying Jing chuckled, and Wan Pengpeng coughed, “Boss, your expression looks a bit flirtatious.”
A few people chatted idly, occasionally bursting into laughter.
Qi Yu suddenly said, “The banquet is at five-thirty. Why don’t we invite Sister Ning too?”
Zhang Huaiyu added, “Yeah, let’s invite her. She watched the competition today and cared a lot about us.”
Ying Jing’s smile vanished instantly.
Everyone exchanged glances, their expressions helpless.
Zhang Huaiyu made an exaggerated thoughtful face, “Sister Ning was really scary when she had heatstroke yesterday. Her face was pale, and her body was cold. I wonder if she’s feeling better today. Did she get heatstroke again in her room?!”
Ying Jing abruptly stood up, his movement so sudden that four pairs of eyes stared blankly.
His expression was indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with him: “Do whatever you want.”
Then he strode toward the bathroom.
Zhang Huaiyu shrugged and grabbed her phone, “I’ll call Sister Ning.”
Not long after, Ying Jing came out of the bathroom, checked the time, and impatiently urged, “Let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“The banquet is about to start.”
Zhou Yuan exclaimed, “But it’s still more than an hour away!”
Ying Jing was too lazy to argue, stubbornly saying, “Are you coming or not?”
Afraid, everyone complied, “Alright, alright, alright.”
Ying Jing took the lead, his hand already on the door handle. Zhang Huaiyu, chewing on a watermelon rind, casually remarked, “Sister Ning won’t attend the banquet.”
A certain person’s action paused.
“I just messaged her on WeChat. She said she’s already heading to the airport and needs to return to Beijing for work.”
This ordinary, mundane message didn’t concern anyone. Since she was so busy, no one insisted.
But,
“Not going.” Ying Jing turned around and walked back, his face darkened as if he hadn’t won the championship but came in last place.
Everyone was utterly confused, “What... what’s wrong now?”
Ying Jing frowned, sat by the bay window, and put on headphones to listen to music.
Zhang Huaiyu grimaced, making a face at everyone, mouthing four words, “Having a nervous breakdown.”
________________________________________
The next day, they flew back to Beijing on the same flight.
It was an evening flight. In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows at the boarding lounge, the summer twilight was bathed in orange-red, with miles of fiery clouds rolling like waves. Planes took off and landed, signal lights flashing, like stars.
This scene was magnificent.
Just a second before boarding, Ying Jing turned his head, took out his phone, and snapped a picture of this beautiful view.
Snap.
The moment was frozen.
It was as if their destined extraordinary future had arrived grandly.
________________________________________
After returning to school briefly, summer vacation had started, leaving the campus half-empty. Their triumphant ceremony was simple, waiting until the opening ceremony of the new semester for a formal commendation announcement.
Zhou Yuan and Zhang Huaiyu were from the same city, so they bought high-speed train tickets together. Wan Pengpeng couldn’t find a ticket, but his family had a celebration the next day, so his parents directly sent a driver to pick him up from school.
Seeing that Lamborghini, everyone was stunned.
The honest Wan Pengpeng turned out to be a hidden rich kid!
Everyone punched him playfully, “You’re something!” “Unbelievable!” “Treat us to bubble tea when you come back!”
Wan Pengpeng smiled and responded.
After everyone left, Qi Yu stood far away, toes scraping the ground, silent for a long time.
Ying Jing understood him; he probably overthought things again. Among the whole team, Qi Yu had the worst family conditions. Usually, it wasn’t an issue since they all focused on work, being down-to-earth people who never brought it up. But seeing it firsthand, the inferiority and sensitivity ingrained from childhood were part of his personality.
Ying Jing changed the subject and asked, “How are you planning your summer vacation?”
“How else? Stay on campus, find part-time jobs.” Same as always.
“Is your girlfriend still working at the same place?”
“No.” After a quiet moment, Qi Yu said, “She quit, dissatisfied with the salary. She’s still job hunting.”
Ying Jing hummed.
“What about you? When will you return to Xingcheng?”
“In a few more days.” He spoke indifferently.
Another moment passed. Qi Yu: “You and Sister Ning...”
“There’s nothing between us.” Ying Jing quickly replied, then lowered his head, “That’s it.”
Qi Yu wanted to ask but didn’t dare.
Finally, he patted his shoulder, “Sister Ning is pretty good. Even if not… there’s still a working relationship. Don’t make things too awkward.”
Even outsiders could see it.
Indeed, since their explosive argument last time, he and Chu Ning hadn’t communicated at all.
But Qi Yu had a point. At least, there was a working relationship between them. As an investor, she had the right to know the summary of their recent work and their next plans.
Ying Jing’s mind began to stir again.
Should he call her?
Or go directly to see her?
He needed to report work progress; otherwise, it would seem like his fault.
A jumble of thoughts fought in his mind. Suddenly, another voice popped up:
Look, look, you still care so much about her feelings.
You’re useless. After causing such a mess, you’re still swayed by her emotions from afar.
Ying Jing immediately grew irritated, scratching his head, “Damn it! It was her fault!”
This shout brought back seven-tenths of his rationality and pride.
He resolved that this time, he wouldn’t initiate contact.
On the other side of the city, Chu Ning wasn’t doing well either.
She had been extremely troubled these days. Four days had passed since returning from Hangzhou, and that person hadn’t contacted her at all.
Chu Ning’s low spirits lingered. She checked her phone more frequently. One day, when her WeChat buzzed, she immediately picked it up to check. It was from someone selling donkey-hide gelatin, a random微商 she didn’t remember adding, with a long string of copied holiday greetings.
Annoyed, Chu Ning curtly replied with two words: “Unfriend!”
Then she blocked the person.
During this time, Feng Ziyang sent her numerous messages: “At eight o’clock on Saturday evening, come to my Park Hyatt apartment. Details will be given later.”
Chu Ning placed the screen face down on the table, massaging her temples tightly.
In the end, she couldn’t hold back and finally called Ying Jing.
The phone rang nine times before he slowly answered. Even after picking up, he didn’t speak.
If Chu Ning hadn’t glanced at the screen, she would have thought there was no signal.
Ying Jing’s rigid voice came through with two words: “What is it?”
Chu Ning’s temper immediately flared, “Don’t you need to report the project progress? It’s been almost half a month or at least ten days, and you haven’t said a word?”
Her straightforwardness was truly fatal.
“Aren’t you aware? I’ve been participating in the competition.” Ying Jing replied coolly.
“The competition only lasted two or three days.”
“Don’t I need preparation?”
Chu Ning was infuriated, her vein throbbing.
“What about the next phase plan? Do you not need to report that?”
“We’re on summer break.” His reasons always seemed irrefutable.
Chu Ning’s face completely fell.
She remained silent, and he wasn’t in a hurry either. After all, phone calls were free.
The buzzing current continuously stimulated Chu Ning’s eardrums.
She closed her eyes, reopened them, and coldly asked, “What do you mean?”
“I dare not mean anything.”
“Fine.” A single crisp word from Chu Ning couldn’t conceal her emotions. Unexpected panic and helplessness enveloped her like being thrown into a vast ocean, swallowed by the tide, unable to breathe.
Like the last lifeline, yet she didn’t know how to grab it.
These hidden, unsettling emotions were experiences she had never encountered in her twenty-some years.
Confused, without anyone willing to give her time to let go, she vented her emotions in the most foolish way—confrontation.
She spoke sarcastically, “Looks like winning the championship really makes a difference.”
Ying Jing sneered, “It’s not just different; it’s remarkable.”
“Of course, your fame rises, and many are willing to invest in you.”
The more she feared, the more she mentioned it, as if sulking.
Chu Ning gripped her phone tightly against her ear.
A brief silence cut like a blade.
Ying Jing understood immediately. This was Chu Ning’s weakness, what she cared about, her vulnerable spot.
He didn’t feel smug about this discovery, only endless disappointment.
Until now, what she worried about most was this “business.”
What was he?
Hmph, in her heart, he always came after “interests.” He felt genuine affection, but she treated emotions as tools.
Ying Jing felt an immense sadness, unbearable pain.
“Yes!” His tone sharp when he spoke again, “I might as well tell you clearly. Many companies have extended olive branches to me. They are professional, have backgrounds, strength, guarantees, and provide strong technical support. Working with such enterprises, the project’s leap is only a matter of time.”
Before he finished, Chu Ning completely broke down, shouting, “Then go ahead!”
One word shattered their already strained relationship.
Painful and bloody.
Ying Jing was furious, his breathing heavy, “I fully agree!”
This thoroughly negated all the efforts and sacrifices Chu Ning had made.
The iron wall in her heart collapsed with a loud bang.
Their thoughts were not on the same wavelength. During moments of emotional instability, people easily fixate on trivialities. Ying Jing grew angrier the more he thought about her cold heart, her unchanging feelings, her various manipulative tactics, her kindness, her unintentional gentleness.
Finally, he thought about her fiancé.
Ying Jing clenched his fists, his flat nails digging into his flesh, turning red.
“If you hate me so much, then don’t contact me anymore. I’ll never call you again. You, go marry your fiancé properly. I wish you a hundred years of happiness, growing old together!”
The only response he got was the “beep beep beep” of a disconnected call.
Chu Ning hung up.
Ying Jing clutched his phone tighter and tighter. Finally, he threw it forcefully. The phone hit the wall with a loud crash, the screen cracking heavily, going black.
He took a deep breath, stubbornly raising his eyes, his reddened eyes refusing to let any tears fall.
________________________________________
This argument left Chu Ning severely drained.
Now, it was completely over; she even lost interest in checking her phone.
A week passed like this, and it was Saturday.
When Feng Ziyang saw her, he was startled, “Little Ning, are you sick?”
Chu Ning arrived at his Park Hyatt apartment, wearing sunglasses, a white long dress, and looking frosty. She removed her sunglasses, her eyes lacking their usual sparkle. Feng Ziyang worriedly reached out to touch her forehead, “Do you have a fever? Your complexion is terrible.”
Chu Ning turned her head to avoid it, “No.”
This gloomy mood made Feng Ziyang suspicious. He asked, “Did you encounter trouble at work? Tell me if there’s anything difficult.”
Chu Ning was too lazy to respond.
She sat on the sofa, “Is everything arranged?”
“Ah, oh, yes.” Speaking of today’s main event, Feng Ziyang became animated, “The girl I found will arrive in half an hour. After she arrives, you call my mom, crying and telling her I cheated, catching me in bed. Have them rush over.”
Chu Ning’s brows furrowed with impatience, “This idea is really rotten!”
“This works fastest.” Feng Ziyang walked barefoot on the ground, took an ice cream from the fridge, and reminded, “We can’t delay any longer. Haven’t you noticed that both families have already started preparing for the engagement banquet? Before the invitations are sent out, we must act quickly.”
Seeing Chu Ning’s reluctant demeanor, Feng Ziyang moved closer, grinning, “What? Don’t want to? Let’s just settle the matter.”
Chu Ning kicked him, “Go die.”
Feng Ziyang dodged with a laugh, then remembered, “Oh, right. I posted a close-up photo of me and that girl on my social media, trying to make it look realistic. That’s a clue of infidelity. Take a screenshot now; it’ll serve as ‘evidence’ later.”
“...” Chu Ning was truly impressed, “Had I known it would be this troublesome, I wouldn’t have agreed to help you.”
Feng Ziyang smiled faintly, clasping his hands in apology, “Brother remembers your kindness. I’ll repay you in the next life, even if I have to be reborn as an ox or a horse.”
Chu Ning stopped bantering with him, lowering her head to check her social media. Just as her fingers touched the screen, she suddenly looked up, “Are your social media friends visible to everyone?”
“No, I set it to a group. People from work are blocked.”
Feng Ziyang’s private account didn’t have many friends; those left were people with a certain level of closeness.
Chu Ning remembered that Ying Jing had previously added his WeChat and often saw his likes. Meaning, he could see this photo too. However, since they were blocked, there was no need to mention it.
Chu Ning hesitated, saying nothing more.
________________________________________
At the same time, at Intime Mall.
When Ying Jing reached the entrance, he called Qi Yu, “I’m here, at Entrance A. Where are you? I’ll bring you the keys.”
Qi Yu sighed in relief, grateful, “Thank you so much, Xiao Jing. Thanks to you, or else I’d really lose my wages. By the way, does this delay your trip home?”
“No problem, my high-speed train ticket is for the afternoon.” Ying Jing jingled the cabinet keys, “Send me your location sharing.”
After hanging up, during the wait, Ying Jing casually opened his social media.
A refresh, then scrolling down, his hand paused.
Feng Ziyang’s latest photo update featured him standing next to a young girl. Their pose wasn’t particularly intimate, but the accompanying emoji was quite suggestive.
It was a bright red heart.
Ying Jing’s heart sank, foreboding unease.
He clicked for details but didn’t see any likes or comments from mutual friends. Of course, the only mutual friend was one person.
Ying Jing repeatedly examined the photo. Damn, this girl’s makeup was thick like a ghost, and she puckered her lips—a typical Gold-digger!
His phone vibrated.
It was Qi Yu sending his location sharing.
Suppressing his surging emotions, Ying Jing decided to go deliver the keys to Qi Yu.
The mall was bustling with customers, noisy and chaotic. Ying Jing’s steps felt like lead, each step heavy and hesitant.
When Qi Yu called him, he didn’t even hear.
“What are you thinking about!” Qi Yu jogged over. He wore a bakery uniform, which suited him well and looked quite nice.
Ying Jing snapped back, “Huh? Ah.”
He handed the keys to him, “Here.”
Qi Yu hadn’t steadied his grip when he saw Ying Jing turn to leave. “Hey? Leaving already? I bought you two bread rolls!”
“No need.” Ying Jing pulled out his phone while walking, calling Chu Ning for the first time in half a month.
________________________________________
Meanwhile, the situation on Chu Ning’s side was intense, chaotic.
The big showdown officially began.
Feng Ziyang lounged on the sofa, with Mrs. Feng and Chen Yue standing in the living room.
Mrs. Feng scolded harshly, “Ziyang, you’re too disgraceful! How could you do this to Ningning?”
Feng Ziyang’s peach blossom eyes lifted, a mischievous smirk on his lips, “What’s there to be sorry about? Relationships rely on mutual willingness. Now that I have no feelings, it’s best to end it early for both parties.”
Chen Yue initially intended to mediate, but this statement was too offensive. Her face turned cold, “Ziyang, our Ningning hasn’t done anything wrong to you, has she?”
“No, she hasn’t. I just don’t love her anymore.”
“Feng Ziyang!” Mrs. Feng was furious, pointing at the temporary actor leaning by the bedroom door, “Where did this girl come from? What kind of messy people do you dare to bring into this house!” She then turned, guilt and embarrassment on her face, assuring Chen Yue, “Dear relative, don’t worry. This is Ziyang’s foolishness. I will surely discipline him.”
It was at this moment that Chu Ning received the call.
To ensure her performance was convincing, she was currently crying profusely, sobbing uncontrollably.
The caller ID showing Ying Jing dropped a stone in her heart.
Human emotions are curious. Certain moments, certain people, certain scenes can effortlessly evoke the most instinctive feelings within.
She couldn’t say she missed him, but she certainly couldn’t forget him. After such a long time, he finally initiated a call to her.
For a moment, Chu Ning genuinely felt like crying sincerely.
She pressed answer, tears streaming down, her voice choked, “Hello…”
Simultaneously, the argument between Mrs. Feng and Feng Ziyang reached its climax.
“How could you do this to Ningning!”
“I tell you, the Feng family’s doors aren’t open to just any woman!”
Ying Jing heard all these echoes clearly.
He remained silent for a long time.
In the silence, Chu Ning’s tenderness and vulnerability were magnified. She sobbed uncontrollably to Ying Jing; she simply couldn’t control herself.
After a long while, Ying Jing hoarsely asked, “Where are you?”
Chu Ning, choking back sobs, reported the location and floor. She didn’t think much, not realizing he was nearby at Intime Mall.
Feng Ziyang and Mrs. Feng faced off, with Feng Ziyang playing the role of a shameless渣男 to perfection.
It was about time. He signaled Chu Ning with a glance.
Clang Clang Clang—
It was Chu Ning’s cue.
Her eyes were red, holding back tears, stubbornly enduring, a sight that pierced the elders’ hearts.
“Feng Ziyang, these years, I’ve been blameless towards you…” Oops, what was the next line? Chu Ning stayed calm, improvising, “Our beginning was so beautiful. Even if you no longer love me, can’t you choose a better way… instead of humiliating me?”
Two streams of tears flowed perfectly.
“If you want to break up, just say it nicely. I won’t object.”
Feng Ziyang closed his legs, stood up from the sofa, “Alright! Let’s break up.”
He beckoned the “new lover” at the bedroom door, and the flirtatious girl obediently nestled close.
Mrs. Feng’s face turned pale with anger, about to intervene.
Bang! A loud crash.
The slightly ajar door was kicked open forcefully!
Ying Jing was fast, his figure like lightning, darting to Chu Ning’s front and delivering a powerful kick to Feng Ziyang’s stomach!
“Fuck! Damn you!” Feng Ziyang’s face turned pale, sweating profusely from the pain.
Ying Jing’s fury was even more terrifying, his murderous gaze piercing, “Fuck you too!”
This unexpected turn stunned Mrs. Feng, mesmerized Chen Yue.
And shocked Chu Ning.
Ying Jing angrily turned his head, his eyes like knives, each word etched deeply, “If I had known you were engaged to such scum, I would never have let you go.”
“Shit!” Feng Ziyang, whose abs were cramping from the kick, exploded in rage, “What’s it to you?!”
Ying Jing snorted arrogantly, “I’ll take her away right in front of you—let’s go!”
Under everyone’s watchful eyes.
He took Chu Ning’s hand.
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