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Psst! We're moving!
Back in the dorm, as soon as they entered, Zhou Yuan shouted, “Close the door!”
Qi Yu responded, “Alright!” and quickly slammed the door shut.
The two of them pointed at Ying Jing and roared, “Spill it!”
Ying Jing poked his ear, shrugged, a mischievous smile on his lips, and said nonchalantly, “It’s just what you saw.”
The other two then flanked him, pushing him down onto a stool, and shouted in unison, “You’re not being honest!”
Ying Jing laughed so hard he was practically falling over. “Damn, are you guys crazy?”
“When did you and Sister Ning start dating?”
“During the summer.”
“Damn, weren’t you two still in a cold war during the competition?”
“Cold war my ass, that was called cooling off,” Ying Jing corrected.
Qi Yu pulled his head. “Not bad, Xiao Jing, you’ve got some moves.”
“Just so-so.”
“Tsk, look at you, your eyes are practically slits from smiling so much,” Zhou Yuan said, making a disgusted gesture.
Chu Ning’s kiss earlier was like stamping a ‘quality approved’ seal on her own pork, while also declaring sovereignty: Look closely, this pig belongs to me.
With confirmation from the person involved, the conversation opened up, and Qi Yu asked, “Did you confess?”
“Wrong.” Ying Jing raised his eyebrows triumphantly. “She did.”
A burst of shouts: “Impossible!!”
“Why impossible? Am I that bad?”
“It’s not that you’re bad, it’s that Sister Ning is too outstanding,” Zhou Yuan corrected.
Ying Jing seemed quite pleased, shrugging his shoulders, “Even if she’s outstanding, she’s mine now.”
“Ugh!!!” Zhou Yuan rolled his eyes. “No matter what, you have to treat us. With someone of Ning’s caliber, you’ll have to cover our milk tea for the entire semester.”
“No problem.”
The single guys couldn’t handle the stimulation and wailed as they returned to their dorms.
Qi Yu closed the door, turned back, and patted his shoulder. “Congratulations, congratulations, your dream came true. Is dating good?”
Ying Jing nodded, and just thinking about it, he couldn’t stop smiling.
“Where do you and your girlfriend usually go on dates?” he asked.
Qi Yu said, “It’s not that formal. When we have time, we just stay together, cook, watch movies on the computer, or go to the fruit market.” He paused, looking at him, “But we have a lot of time. Sister Ning must be quite busy, right?”
This hit Ying Jing’s sore spot.
“Sister Ning is quite independent, worry-free, and won’t quarrel with you for no reason.” Qi Yu, being an experienced person, sighed with emotion, “Honestly, when two people are together, one of them has to be mature and sensible.”
Ying Jing’s smile faded, his mood stiffened, and then he slowly exhaled, pondering the words “mature and sensible.”
Qi Yu suddenly said, “Oh, by the way, your birthday is next week, isn’t it?”
Ying Jing was surprised. “How do you remember better than my mom? Are you, like, interested in me?”
Qi Yu rolled his eyes. “Do you think I want to be! If it weren’t for being on the same day as Jinjin, I wouldn’t bother remembering!”
September 12th, the same birthday as his girlfriend Gu Jinjin.
“Have a good one, buddy,” Qi Yu said meaningfully to him, “Take care of yourself.” He then tried to cover up by explaining, “It’s going to get cold recently, don’t catch a cold.”
Ying Jing took his warm advice.
The two exchanged knowing glances, full of mischievous ideas, wicked.
________________________________________
Every evening rush hour in Beijing felt like a giant dragon, full and bloated, unable to fly.
Chu Ning, while driving, replied to Guan Yu’s WeChat message: “Sister, don’t rush me, I just got out of Jianguomen and I’m already stuck in traffic. Why don’t you eat first? Okay, okay, I’ll be as quick as I can.”
Guan Yu was a chatterbox, her voice messages flooding in, serving as entertainment for Chu Ning, making the endless traffic less boring.
Finally, regarding a troublesome relative, Guan Yu complained for half an hour.
“Stop nagging, cherish the harmonious atmosphere in your family. Your relatives are considered good. Try living with the Zhao family for a month? Any cousin, male or female, could kill you,” Chu Ning said into her WeChat. “Alright, serve the food, I’m parking now.”
The two had been friends for over ten years, and their tastes were surprisingly similar; they both loved Japanese food and various fish.
The waiter led Chu Ning to the private room. Pushing the door open, Guan Yu was already drinking by herself, the sake was so good, she pointed and said, “Delicious.”
Chu Ning took off her shoes and walked onto the tatami. “I won’t join you for a drink. I’ve had too many dinners recently, I’m practically throwing up from drinking.”
As she spoke, she took something out of her bag and handed over a Pudong Development Bank card. “Here, I’ve transferred it here, original password. You can change it yourself later.”
Guan Yu’s eyes lit up. “I love you, Ningning!”
“Don’t be disgusting,” Chu Ning said calmly, sitting cross-legged.
There was 100,000 in the card. Guan Yu had said she needed it urgently that morning, and Chu Ning didn’t ask why, just said they’d eat together tonight.
She was loyal and generous to her friends, putting her feelings into action.
With the matter settled, Chu Ning casually asked, “What happened?”
After saying that, she clarified, “It’s okay, if it’s inconvenient, pretend I didn’t ask.”
Guan Yu sighed. “The stock market is volatile, so I’m buying some more. My spare money is in other projects, I’ll return it to you in a few days.”
“Okay. Ten days or half a month is fine too.” Chu Ning picked up a piece of sour lotus root, dipped it in some sauce, and ate it meticulously.
“Why didn’t you bring your little boyfriend out?” Guan Yu raised an eyebrow.
“He has class tonight.”
“Heh. Your relationship is like a long-distance one, your schedules don’t match, it’s so inconvenient.”
“What’s convenient? We’re both in Beijing, if something happens, just make a call, that’s it,” Chu Ning said indifferently.
Guan Yu clicked her tongue. “It’s like dealing with a client. Hey, let me ask you, have you two—” She leaned in, winking suggestively, “Done it?”
Chu Ning remained unruffled, not even batting an eyelid. “Why do you ask me the same question every time you see me? Do you have some special fetish? Then let me ask you, how many times a day do you and your glasses-wearing boyfriend do it? Huh?”
The latter part was purely unintentional, just an example. To her surprise, Guan Yu got excited, put down her chopsticks, took a sip of sake, and said with great satisfaction, “One time a day is the minimum. Sometimes when he’s on a business trip, after he comes back, we can stay inside for a whole day and night!”
Chu Ning almost choked on her food, and was quite curious, “Your new boyfriend looks like he’s in his mid-thirties, and he can still go at it like that?”
“He takes good care of himself, he goes to a men’s wellness center once a week.”
Chu Ning nodded. “Refined.”
Seeing her reaction, Guan Yu knew the answer to that question.
Guan Yu was puzzled. “What’s wrong with you two?”
“What do you mean, what’s wrong?”
“Don’t you have any... impulses or needs?”
“Oh my god, spare me!” Chu Ning said this sincerely, with a helpless look in her eyes. “I’m exhausted all day, all my impulses turn into not wanting to move.”
Guan Yu glanced at her, her tone becoming more serious. “Don’t say your sister didn’t warn you, women, being a little more gentle and understanding is not a bad thing.”
Chu Ning was completely confused.
“Your boyfriend at this age, his mind is romantic, full of aspirations, and he’s more emotional than rational. He’s probably already raped you a hundred times in his mind,” Guan Yu said with a contained smile, her words clear and distinct, making Chu Ning get goosebumps.
“Ninger, enjoy life to the fullest, seize the day, put work second, life is the most important,” Guan Yu picked up a piece of eel for her, and gently tapped her bowl with her chopsticks, a crisp ‘ding-ding’ sound, thought-provoking.
Gathering herself, Chu Ning remembered something important. “I almost forgot, that thing I asked you to bring last time, did you do it for me?”
“Oh, Lucy is returning to China tomorrow, don’t worry, I bought it for you, I’ll give it to you the day after tomorrow.”
Chu Ning repeatedly reminded her, “You must remember.”
Guan Yu said, “You say you’re aloof and indifferent, but then you’re so good to him, giving him a watch and bringing a laptop from abroad. Such low-key and subtle pampering... Sister, does he appreciate it?”
Chu Ning didn’t care, and said openly, “Time will tell. He’ll definitely understand!”
________________________________________
Ying Jing’s birthday fell on a Friday.
The good day he had calculated meticulously, perfect! Although it wasn’t the weekend, Friday was still good enough.
Chu Ning was quite thoughtful that day. She set her alarm two minutes early and called him promptly at midnight.
“Xiao Ying, happy birthday.”
Ying Jing was lying in bed, tossing and turning, so excited, yet he pretended to be calm, feigning surprise: “Ah, if you hadn’t said anything, I would have forgotten it was my birthday today. You actually remembered, thank you!”
Chu Ning suppressed a laugh, cooperating with his act without exposing him. “It’s nothing, you don’t need to remember, I’ll remember for you from now on.”
Each word was like a wind chime, tinkling and ringing in Ying Jing’s chest.
His eyes even welled up. He held the phone, listening quietly for several seconds until a faint sound of music came from the other end. He frowned, “You’re still out?”
“Yes, I’m at a work dinner,” Chu Ning replied listlessly. She had been busy serving an important client for the past week. Meetings and tours during the day, dinners and KTV at night, blurring the lines between day and night, she was practically delirious.
Fortunately, this “ancestor” would leave Beijing tomorrow.
Oh no, it was already past midnight, so it should be today.
Ying Jing sniffed, his spirit visibly deflated by half, and he asked listlessly:
“When are you coming home?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you drink?”
“I did... not much.”
“Then who’s going to drive you later? I’ll come, okay?”
“No need, I have a driver. My own car is parked at the company.”
A question, an answer, but suddenly, Ying Jing felt incredibly bored.
He could recite this conversation by heart.
It was always like this, the words never changed.
But what was the point?
Ying Jing took a deep breath, his chest feeling stuffy.
Chu Ning naturally didn’t know his inner journey. She considered this a perfectly normal thing and didn’t take it to heart.
“Your dorm lights are off, right? Are your roommates all asleep?”
“Mmm.”
“Then don’t make a sound, don’t disturb others. Be a good boy and sleep. After class during the day, we’ll have dinner together tonight to celebrate your birthday, okay?”
Her voice was so gentle, patient, and utterly doting.
Chu Ning: “Let’s invite your teammates and roommates too, the more people the merrier.”
The earlier low spirits were instantly blown away. Ying Jing’s heart softened again. He buried his head in the blanket, his lips close to the phone, “No one else, I just want to be alone with you.”
Chu Ning chuckled softly, “Okay.”
Ying Jing’s voice was even lower, “Kiss me.”
Silence for half a second.
A clear kissing sound — Mwah.
Chu Ning was quite embarrassed, luckily it was over the phone. “I’m hanging up now, they’re calling me inside.”
Ying Jing suddenly said, “Chu Ning.”
“Huh?”
“I love you.”
I really, really love you.
...
...
From early morning, Ying Jing’s phone hadn’t stopped ringing. Calls from Ancheng kept coming, from his mom, his sister, his brother-in-law, and friends and relatives from all over. Ying Jing grew up in a well-established, large family with many siblings, a person who had grown up spoiled.
Cui Jingshu, gentle and kind, said, “Xiao Jing, Mom and Dad wish you a happy birthday, study hard, and be a good young man.”
Sister Ying Chen was simple and direct: “You’re twenty-three! You’ve grown up! You need to be sensible!”
Three black lines appeared on Ying Jing’s forehead: “Sister, I’m twenty-two this year.”
Xiao Chen’er was stunned. “Really, you’re that young. Okay, I’ve transferred twenty-three thousand to your WeChat, you can refund me one thousand later.”
The brother and sister had such a good relationship, they couldn’t be driven apart by scolding or fighting. Although they were a blended family with a step-parent, their bond was no less than a blood relation.
The peak of birthday wishes had passed.
Ying Jing was so happy!
One more hour closer to 5 PM!
After lunch, he pulled open his closet and pulled out a large bag of treasures. Only Qi Yu was in the dorm. He glanced over, “What’s that?”
“Clothes, my sister bought them for me when she went abroad last time,” Ying Jing showed him one by one. “Which one is good?”
Qi Yu seriously considered, tilting his head, stroking his chin with one hand, his eyes scanning back and forth, and finally, his hand settled. “This white one.”
“OK, that’s the one.” Ying Jing put down the white one and chose the black one.
Qi Yu: “...............”
“I don’t think white is very good,” Ying Jing said as he changed clothes, the hem of his shirt going up, revealing his toned abdomen. His abs weren’t very pronounced, but when he stretched his arms, the definition showed, very impressive.
He put on the black shirt and spent a long time adjusting it in front of the mirror. “Dark colors are good, mature, steady, dignified, handsome, charming, and masculine.”
Qi Yu immediately leaned against the wall, feigning nausea: “—Ugh.”
“Ugh your sister!”
Ying Jing stopped cursing, turned around and asked him for his opinion, “How is it, still good?”
Qi Yu also stopped playing around, walked around him 360 degrees, and nodded responsibly: “Handsome.”
Alright, freshly groomed, perfect!
“Hey, where are you going?” Qi Yu looked at Ying Jing about to leave, puzzled, it was still early.
“To buy something.”
The door closed.
Ying Jing went to the supermarket, heading straight for the target area.
This aisle was full of dazzling birth control products: feminine wash, male care, condoms.
Prices varied widely. A discounted pack of twenty was less than fifty. More expensive ones... spiral, volcano, ultra-thin. Ying Jing’s eyes lit up. “Wolf’s tooth club?” What the hell was that?
He picked it up and examined it repeatedly, his heart fluttering, seduced by the advertising copy. He grabbed a box, that was it.
Before leaving, he also picked up a bottle of female lubricant.
Better safe than sorry.
He sneaked back to the dorm like a thief. At 5 o’clock, he finally received Chu Ning’s call.
“I’ve arrived, waiting at the entrance, or should I pick you up from your dorm building?”
“Wait at the school gate, don’t come in,” Ying Jing couldn’t help but smile.
Chu Ning teased him, “Are you afraid of being seen?”
Ying Jing chuckled, “I’m saving you gas money, and you’re thinking crookedly, aren’t you?”
Chu Ning was also in a good mood and laughed, “Come out.”
Ying Jing quickly pulled out a bottle of perfume from the cabinet and lightly sprayed his cuffs twice. Then he tore open the condom package, took one out, and stuffed it into his pants pocket. After stuffing it, he thought for a moment... and then quietly took out six more.
Seven times a night, for good luck.
At the agreed location, he saw Chu Ning leaning against the car from afar, wearing a light-colored long dress, her hair down, with light makeup. Today’s gentle and leisurely outfit made her look like a college student.
She waved at Ying Jing, tilting her head, a faint smile on her lips.
Ying Jing ran over, and their embrace naturally became one.
Chu Ning wrapped her arms around his neck, forehead against forehead, and whispered, “Happy birthday.”
Ying Jing’s breath was also warm, brushing against her nose. “With you here, I’m happy.”
They looked at each other and smiled in understanding.
The arc of their smiles was identical.
They got in the car, buckled their seatbelts, and Chu Ning drove.
“Shall we have Western food today?”
“Okay.”
“I’ve made a reservation, and the steak was pre-ordered. Last time I wanted to eat it, I had to wait for three whole days.”
Ying Jing was overjoyed. “Is it specially prepared for me?”
Chu Ning admitted frankly, “Of course.”
Ying Jing looked at her profile and said, “Pull over.”
“Huh?”
“Pull over and park.”
“Why?”
“I want to kiss you.”
Directness in love is the most moving.
Chu Ning’s heart trembled fiercely, feeling as if her blood circulation had sped up by several gears.
Just as they were bathing in sweetness, her phone suddenly rang.
They used a couple’s ringtone. The last time they were in Ancheng, on the first night they confirmed their relationship, Ying Jing insisted on setting it for her.
This time, it was Chu Ning’s phone ringing.
As soon as she saw the caller, she frowned slightly.
She answered using a Bluetooth headset.
Within a few sentences, Chu Ning’s expression had changed.
“But I have something outside—can Vice President Wang receive them?—Okay, I understand—Alright, I’ll be right there.”
The call ended, just as they encountered a red light.
Chu Ning turned her head and said with a hint of bitterness, “I’m sorry, we might not be able to have steak.”
Ying Jing’s dark eyes stared at her, not speaking, but the corner of his mouth was already a very stiff curve.
“A client suddenly came to the company, and they’re quite important. We’ve been trying to secure a deal from them for a long time, and it wouldn’t look good if I’m not there,” Chu Ning calmly explained the reason, and then assured, “It won’t take too long, just a meal. Or, I can drop you off at school first? I’ll come pick you up before 8 o’clock, and then we can...”
Ying Jing interrupted, his tone flat and emotionless, “I’ll go with you.”
Chu Ning’s eyes were bewildered, and for a moment, she couldn’t read his emotions.
...Was he happy, or angry?
Just as she hesitated, Ying Jing curved his lips. He was smiling, but his smile carried a hint of politeness and hidden meaning.
He said, “It’s fine, I understand. Take me to see your workplace, consider it observing another side of my girlfriend.”
The tone of his words was calm and unremarkable. At first listen, there was nothing wrong with it.
But upon closer thought.
Observe? Witness?
What kind of words were those!
Tsk, how sour!
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